US Students’ Academic Achievements for 2026: Performance Still Lags Behind OECD Peers

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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There are many study tips and strategies teachers can impart to their students. But how can a country verify if its learners are excelling on the world stage? It’s not enough to check student performance based on school grades.

That’s why educational assessments such as the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) are important. The PISA and IEA provide benchmarks by which developed and developing countries can measure the academic performance of students.

But once countries have the benchmark and have made the comparison, what happens next? How can they benefit from the data derived from these cross-national evaluations? These are among the key questions that this article will attempt to answer.

How U.S. Students Compare with Their Peers: Table of Contents

1. Program for International Student Assessment
2. What policy interventions can drive educational excellence in the U.S.?
3. How Can Online Learning Enhance Educational Outcomes?
4. Can Accelerated Master's Programs Enhance Educational Leadership?
5. Can Fast-Track Degree Programs Foster Educational Innovation and Student Success?
6. What Changed Between PISA 2018 and PISA 2022?
7. Can Short-Duration Master’s Programs Enhance Educational Reform?
8. Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
9. National Assessment of Educational Progress
10. Socioeconomic Factors on U.S. Student Performance
11. How can specialized teacher training boost student performance?
12. Can alternative certification programs enhance career readiness?

Program for International Student Assessment

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a global evaluation that measures the reading, mathematics, and science competencies of 15-year-old students across participating countries. It is administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which first conducted the assessment in 2000. Since then, PISA has been carried out every three years to monitor trends in student performance and educational outcomes worldwide (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025).

While early cycles primarily included industrialized nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, participation has steadily expanded to include a broader range of developing and emerging economies, reflecting its growing global scope.

The latest cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), as reported in more recent updates, was conducted in 2022, with 81 countries and economies participating worldwide (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025).

The United States

In the 2022 cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), 15-year-old students from the United States scored an average of 504 in reading, which was above the OECD average of 476. In mathematics, U.S. students recorded a mean score of 465, falling below the OECD average of 472. Meanwhile, in science, students achieved an average score of 499, which was higher than the OECD average of 485. Among the three domains, mathematics remained the area where U.S. students performed below the OECD benchmark (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025).

In more recent findings from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 cycle, the United States did not rank among the top-performing education systems overall. Instead of focusing on a single composite rank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development emphasizes performance by subject area. Results show that the U.S. performed above the OECD average in reading and science but below average in mathematics, placing it in the middle tier of participating countries overall (OECD, 2025). Compared with other systems, the U.S. trailed leading performers such as Singapore and Japan, while performing at levels comparable to or slightly above several OECD peers in specific domains.

Trend data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show that U.S. student performance has experienced fluctuations rather than consistent improvement across assessment cycles. In 2015, 15-year-old students in the United States recorded an average score of 497 in reading, 470 in mathematics, and 496 in science (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025). While scores showed some gains in certain domains in subsequent cycles, more recent results indicate declines—particularly in mathematics—highlighting ongoing challenges in sustaining long-term progress.

More recent results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) indicate that U.S. student performance continues to vary by subject area rather than consistently ranking at the top. In the 2022 cycle, the United States performed above the OECD average in reading and science but below average in mathematics, placing it around the middle range of participating countries overall (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025). These outcomes suggest that, despite being home to many of the world’s leading universities, the U.S. still faces challenges in achieving uniformly high academic performance at the secondary education level.

Despite some improvements across assessment cycles, gains in U.S. performance on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) have not been substantial enough to place the country among the top-performing systems. According to recent findings from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, closing achievement gaps and improving overall outcomes will require sustained efforts, particularly in ensuring equitable access to high-quality educational resources and support across schools (OECD, 2025). This highlights the ongoing need to strengthen resource distribution and learning conditions, especially in public education systems, to boost student performance nationwide.

The Rest of the World

Highest- and Lowest-Ranking Countries

Recent findings from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 cycle show that top-performing education systems continue to be concentrated in East Asia and parts of Europe. Leading the rankings are Singapore, Macau, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Japan. These systems consistently achieved high average scores across reading, mathematics, and science, with Singapore maintaining its position as one of the strongest performers globally (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025). Other high-performing countries include Estonia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, and South Korea, all of which remain competitive across multiple domains.

In contrast, lower-performing systems in PISA 2022 include countries such as Philippines, Dominican Republic, and Cambodia, where average scores in reading, mathematics, and science fall well below the OECD averages. The Philippines, which first participated in 2018, continues to face significant challenges in student performance, particularly in foundational skills. According to the OECD, these results highlight persistent disparities in access to quality education, learning resources, and instructional support across countries (OECD, 2025).

What policy interventions can drive educational excellence in the U.S.?

Recent analyses indicate that targeted, evidence-based policy measures can help bridge performance gaps and strengthen learning outcomes. Initiatives such as enhanced teacher professional development, strategic curriculum reforms, and early intervention programs have shown promise in elevating academic achievement without repeating prior assessment results. These efforts are best pursued by aligning local educational strategies with international best practices, ensuring resources are efficiently allocated to support both high-need and high-potential student populations.

Moreover, fostering partnerships between public education systems and specialized institutions can diversify learning opportunities. For instance, collaboration with institutions like military friendly colleges can offer alternative educational pathways that emphasize discipline, technology integration, and career readiness. Such cross-sector initiatives not only support student success within traditional academic frameworks but also prepare learners for diverse roles in a rapidly evolving workforce.

How Can Online Learning Enhance Educational Outcomes?

The increasing integration of digital platforms into education offers opportunities to address gaps that standardized assessments may overlook. Emerging online learning models utilize adaptive technologies to tailor educational experiences to individual student needs, fostering skills that extend beyond traditional academic benchmarks. Moreover, flexible study options contribute to continuous professional development and lifelong learning, allowing career-focused individuals to upskill without disrupting their work schedules. For example, institutions providing the best online degree programs for working adults deliver education models that promote agility and innovation, complementing existing assessment systems while preparing students for a dynamic global workforce.

Can Accelerated Master's Programs Enhance Educational Leadership?

Advanced degree programs that are designed for rapid completion offer educators a pathway to acquire specialized leadership and instructional skills essential for driving reforms. These initiatives empower academic professionals to implement innovative teaching methodologies that address performance gaps highlighted in international assessments. Integrating accelerated training with ongoing professional development can foster a dynamic environment where evidence-based practices are rapidly adopted, benefiting schools across diverse socioeconomic contexts. Institutions offering 6-month master's degree programs provide a model for achieving high-quality, timely skill advancement without compromising academic standards.

Can Fast-Track Degree Programs Foster Educational Innovation and Student Success?

Accelerated education programs present an opportunity to rapidly equip educators with modern methodologies that address evolving classroom challenges. By adopting streamlined qualifications such as the fast track degree, institutions can foster innovative teaching practices that bridge the gap between classroom instruction and emerging workforce needs. This approach not only enhances teacher expertise but also promotes agile policy adaptations and curriculum reforms, contributing to measurable improvements in student outcomes without duplicating existing assessment analyses.

What Changed Between PISA 2018 and PISA 2022?

The latest data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show that while the overall patterns of high-performing countries remain similar, there have been some shifts between the 2018 and 2022 cycles (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025). In 2018, China’s B-S-J-Z region (Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang) led the rankings, followed by Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, and Estonia.

These countries maintained top-tier performance in 2022, although Singapore and Chinese Taipei also ranked among the strongest performers globally. Japan, which was among the top five in 2018, maintained high scores but fell slightly behind the very top performers in 2022.

For the United States, 15-year-old students showed stable performance in reading and science but continued to underperform in mathematics. In 2018, the U.S. had a mean score of 478 in mathematics, below the OECD average of 489, placing it 36th out of 79 participating countries and regions.

In 2022, U.S. students scored slightly lower in mathematics at 465, while reading and science remained above the OECD averages of 476 and 485, respectively. Overall, these results indicate that U.S. performance has remained relatively steady in reading and science but continues to face challenges in improving mathematics outcomes.

Can Short-Duration Master’s Programs Enhance Educational Reform?

Recent advances in educational policy underscore the importance of equipping educators with targeted, practical skills to rapidly implement reforms. Short-duration advanced degree programs provide a concentrated curriculum that merges pedagogical theory with real-world applications, enabling leaders to harness data analytics, innovative curriculum design, and strategic classroom interventions. Such programs can accelerate the diffusion of evidence-based practices across school systems, directly responding to performance gaps highlighted by international and national assessments. For further insights on concise advanced learning opportunities, consider exploring 1 year master degree programs.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international study conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement that measures the mathematics and science achievement of students in fourth and eighth grades every four years. Unlike earlier cycles, the most recent TIMSS cycle took place in 2023, marking the eighth cycle of the study and continuing the trend of long-term international comparisons in student achievement.

This cycle involved participation from 72 education systems worldwide, including the United States, and featured a fully digital assessment approach with expanded contextual data on student learning and schooling environments (IEA, 2025).

The United States

In the 2023 cycle of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), U.S. students performed above the international average in both mathematics and science, though they remained behind the top-performing countries. Fourth graders in the United States scored an average of 517 points in mathematics, placing them slightly below the leading systems but ahead of many other participating countries. Eighth graders fared similarly, averaging 488 points, which positioned them in the mid-to-upper range globally.

In science, U.S. fourth graders achieved an average score of 536 points, while eighth graders averaged 519 points, again exceeding the international average. These results indicate that American students continue to perform well relative to peers worldwide, though performance gaps remain within the U.S., with disparities evident between high- and low-achieving students. When compared with leading systems such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, U.S. scores are strong but not at the very top.

The Rest of the World

The 2023 cycle of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) confirmed that East Asian education systems continue to lead global student performance in mathematics and science. Singapore remained the top performer in both fourth- and eighth-grade mathematics, followed closely by Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. Students from these systems scored well above the international average, demonstrating consistent strength in mathematics.

In science, the top-performing countries showed slightly more variation. Among fourth graders, Singapore and South Korea led the rankings, followed by Russian Federation, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Finland. In eighth-grade science, Singapore remained dominant, scoring well ahead of Chinese Taipei, Japan, and South Korea, with the Russian Federation and Finland also performing strongly.

Beyond academic achievement, the TIMSS 2023 report highlighted the importance of school climate and student behavior. Schools with safe, orderly, and supportive learning environments consistently saw higher student performance in STEM subjects, reinforcing the link between positive school culture and academic success (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, 2025).

National Assessment of Educational Progress

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the major national assessment of student achievement in the United States, administered by the National Center for Education Statistics. It measures performance of students in grades 4, 8, and 12 across the country in subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, writing, U.S. history, civics, geography, economics, and the arts. NAEP is often referred to as “the Nation’s Report Card” because it provides key data on trends in student learning over time (NCES, 2025).

In the most recent NAEP assessments (2022–2023)

• Mathematics • Grade 4 students earned an average score of 242. • Grade 8 students scored 283 on average. • Grade 12 students had an average score of 149.
• Reading • Fourth graders achieved a national average of 223. • Eighth graders scored 266 on average. • Twelfth graders posted an average score of 289.
• Science. The most recent science NAEP was administered in 2022. Average scores were approximately 156 for grades 4 and 8, and 150 for grade 12, showing stable performance compared with prior cycles.

Overall, the latest NAEP results indicate that U.S. student performance has shown only modest gains in some areas and relative stability in others. Patterns from NAEP tend to align with findings from international assessments like Programme for International Student Assessment, which show limited change in U.S. achievement levels over time. Research has noted that long‑term trends—especially among lower‑performing students—have not shown substantial improvement over the past decade, highlighting ongoing challenges in elevating broad‑based academic performance (Barshay, 2025).

How do socioeconomic factors influence student performance in the U.S.?

Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a significant role in student academic performance, often contributing to disparities in educational outcomes. While international assessments like PISA and TIMSS provide valuable data on U.S. students' achievements, they often fail to fully capture the impact of socioeconomic factors. Here’s how SES affects academic performance in the U.S.:

• Access to Resources: Students from lower-income families typically have limited access to educational resources such as tutoring, extracurricular activities, and technology. This lack of access can hinder their ability to perform well academically compared to their peers from wealthier backgrounds.
• School Funding Disparities: Schools in low-income areas often receive less funding than those in affluent communities, resulting in larger class sizes, outdated materials, and fewer experienced teachers. These factors contribute to lower academic achievement for students in underfunded schools.
• Parental Involvement: Higher-income families tend to be more involved in their children’s education, providing support for homework and fostering learning environments at home. In contrast, students from lower SES backgrounds may not receive the same level of academic encouragement due to parents’ work obligations or lack of familiarity with the educational system.
• Mental and Emotional Stress: Students from low-income families often face additional stressors, such as food insecurity and housing instability. These challenges can impact their focus and engagement in school, leading to poorer academic outcomes.

How can specialized teacher training boost student performance?

Recent research indicates that focused professional development can significantly enhance teacher effectiveness, which in turn improves student outcomes. Tailored programs that integrate evidence-based practices with modern pedagogical strategies empower educators to address diverse classroom challenges and close achievement gaps. Strategic initiatives that promote continuous learning enable teachers to refine instructional techniques and adapt swiftly to evolving educational needs. For educators considering advanced study as part of their career development, pursuing high paying master's degrees can provide the specialized skills required for impactful teaching and sustained student success.

Can alternative certification programs enhance career readiness?

While standardized assessments provide a benchmark for academic achievement, alternative credentials offer a practical measure of skills that align with current industry demands. Focused training through short-term programs enables individuals to gain specialized competencies that traditional tests may not capture. This approach serves as a complementary pathway to academic evaluations, providing employers with evidence of actionable skill sets and a readiness to perform in dynamic work environments. For example, many professionals are leveraging 6-month certificate programs that pay well to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and on-the-job expertise.

Are Such Tests Significant in Today’s Educational Landscape?

The test results above, particularly that of PISA, show that the performance of U.S. students in subjects like mathematics, science, and reading, when compared to their peers, is only average. Instead, Asian countries like Singapore are moving up the ladder. This is despite the fact that the U.S. spends at least 3.6% of its GDP on public education spending for primary, secondary, and post-secondary non-tertiary education. That makes the country the fourth biggest spender in that arena, after Norway, New Zealand, and the U.K. On top of that, many of the education systems around the world mimic or are patterned after the American system.

The results demonstrate that the U.S. needs to step up its policymaking in education to improve teaching standards. The same goes for countries that do poorly in PISA, especially those that have average scores that were below the OECD average. Since the rankings on PISA also correlate to economic wellness, countries can utilize the data to formulate policies that can aid students in preparing better for the future so that they could contribute to their nations’ economies.

Furthermore, the U.S. and other countries can employ data from PISA and other international assessments for benchmarking purposes. By doing so, they could execute reforms that would allow them to reach for the best in education. Thus, they can become more innovative in their teaching methods and be creative in engaging students to learn.

Key Insights

• Importance of International Assessments: Programs like PISA and TIMSS provide crucial benchmarks for comparing student performance globally, offering insights into where countries excel or need improvement.
• US Performance in PISA: In the 2022 PISA cycle, 15-year-old students in the United States performed above the OECD average in reading and science, with mean scores of 504 and 499, respectively. However, U.S. students continued to lag in mathematics, scoring 465, which was below the OECD average of 472. Overall, the United States ranked in the middle tier among participating countries, showing modest progress compared with previous cycles but still trailing leading education systems such as Singapore, Japan, and Chinese Taipei. These results highlight that while U.S. students perform reasonably well in reading and science, mathematics remains a persistent area of challenge (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025).
• Top Performers: The 2022 PISA results confirm that several East Asian and European education systems continue to lead globally. The highest-ranking countries and regions included Singapore, China’s B-S-J-Z region (Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang), Macau, Hong Kong, and Estonia. Students from these systems achieved exceptionally high scores across reading, mathematics, and science, demonstrating consistently strong performance relative to other participating countries (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025).
• Consistent Performance Trends: Despite slight improvements, the U.S. has shown consistent performance levels in PISA since its inception, particularly lagging in mathematics.
• TIMSS Results: In the 2023 cycle of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), U.S. students in fourth and eighth grades continued to perform above the international average in both mathematics and science. Fourth graders earned an average of 517 in mathematics and 536 in science, while eighth graders scored 488 in mathematics and 519 in science. Despite these solid results, U.S. students still trailed the top-performing systems, including Singapore, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, which consistently achieved the highest scores across both grades and subjects (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, 2025).
• Behavior and Environment: TIMSS data indicates a significant correlation between good behavior, a safe and orderly school environment, and high test scores.
• National Assessment (NAEP): The most recent NAEP assessments indicate that U.S. students continue to perform at moderate levels in mathematics and reading, with trends showing only modest changes over time. In the 2022–2023 NAEP cycle, fourth graders scored an average of 242 in mathematics and 223 in reading, while eighth graders scored 283 in mathematics and 266 in reading. Twelfth graders earned 149 in mathematics and 289 in reading. Science assessments, last administered in 2022, showed average scores of approximately 156 for fourth and eighth graders and 150 for twelfth graders.
• Educational Spending vs. Results: Despite high spending on education, the U.S. results in international assessments suggest a need for improved educational policies and teaching standards.
• Utilizing Assessment Data: Countries can use data from international assessments to benchmark and implement educational reforms, enhancing teaching methods and student engagement.

References

• Armstrong, M. (n.d.). How much do countries spend on education? Statista.
• Coughlan, S. (n.d.). Singapore first place in school rankings. BBC News.
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• Heim, J. (n.d.). On the world stage, U.S. students fall behind. The Washington Post.
• TIMSS (n.d.). Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. The Hague, The Netherlands: IEA.
• NCES. (n.d.). Assessments. Washington, DC: National Center of Education Statistics.
• NCES. (n.d.). Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) Information for Students. Washington, DC: National Center of Education Statistics.
• STEM Learning. (n.d.). Latest TIMSS results published. Stem.org.uk.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2025). Programme for International Student Assessment. PISA.
• National Center for Education Statistics. (2025). NAEP mathematics, reading, and science results. NCES.
• International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. (2025). TIMSS U.S. results: Mathematics and science performance of fourth‑ and eighth‑grade students. National Center for Education Statistics.