If you have time watch it, its kind of long 40 minutes,
The study conducted by UNICEF that took the averages from five different international education studies, the researchers ranked the United States No. 18 out of 24 nations in terms of the relative effectiveness of its educational system.
The TIMSS study is a comprehensive study done on a four-year cycle that measures the progress of students in math and science in 46 participating countries. It evaluates fourth, eighth and 12th-graders through questionnaires, tests and extensive videotaping of classroom environments.
The TIMSS results reveal a lot about the weaknesses of the U.S. education system, said David Marsh, a professor at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education.
“In fourth grade, American kids do above average internationally. By eighth grade, they slip a bit, and by 12th-grade, they’ve slipped a lot,” Marsh said. “We’re the only country that slides down that much from fourth to 12th grade.”
Given these challenges, how does the United States stack up against other countries in education and education spending?
Quality Counts 2007 looked at the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which comprises 22 European nations, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Turkey, and the United States – 30 nations in total. Among these countries, the U.S. ranks 25th in international math test scores and at first glance appears to rank fourth in per pupil spending – a juxtaposition often cited by critics of public education.
They show that compared with their peers in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, 15-year-olds in the United States are below average in applying math skills to real-life tasks.
In all levels of education, the United States spends $11,152 per student. That's the second highest amount, behind the $11,334 spent by Switzerland.In the United States, for every 100 students enrolled, 17 earn a degree or certificate.