Results from the curriculum analyses of guidelines and textbooks from all countries. Preliminary findings from the case studies. At grade 12, some countries tested an additional group of students taking advanced courses in mathematics. More complete findings from the video study and the case studies. In-depth study of the results including examination of individual items and secondary analyses that link different parts of the study.
Performance is somewhat below average overall but mixed across topics.
The table below shows the number of items in the six content categories and how many items the average U.S. eighth grader got correct compared with the average across countries. The pattern of performance supports the contention of many U.S. mathematics teachers that more attention should be given to such topics as geometry and measurement in grades 5 to 8. Data on individual items are also likely to yield a mixed picture. Or, it may be due to the items assessing the area concept. Data from the National Assessments of Educational Progress suggest that U.S. students have particular difficulties with such items.