Math skills compared

While recently traveling in scenic New Zealand I met a friendly, interesting Russian couple from Moscow. The young man said he works as a communication computer programmer, and wife told me she’s employed in Moscow working on a math program for U.S. Schools. American students will be using Russian mathematics systems of teaching mathematics. Why? According to a PISA 2011 math test for grade 8 students administered by the OECD, American students achieved a proficiency rate of 32 per cent ranking the U.S. as number 32 out of 65 nations. Compared to a 50 per cent or better proficiency rate in Canada. Education is important.

Arnet Tuffs