There are a few ways to measure the quality of schools and where they rank on a global scale. The most common way is to look at test scores, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which looks at 15-year-olds in 72 countries and measures their reading, math, and science skills. The United States ranks 38th in reading, 24th in math, and 28th in science. This puts the U.S. well below average compared to other developed countries.
Another way to measure school quality is by looking at graduation rates. The U.S. ranks 21st out of 36 countries when it comes to the percentage of adults who have completed tertiary education (such as college or university). This is concerning because having a post-secondary degree is increasingly important in today’s economy.
It’s also worth noting that there are large disparities within the U.S., with some states ranking much higher than others. For example, Massachusetts ranks first in reading and second in math on the PISA test, while Mississippi ranks last in both categories. So while the U.S. as a whole doesn’t fare well on international comparisons, there are pockets of excellence within the country.