International tests indicate that American fourth graders rank among the top students in the world in science and above average in math. By eighth grade, they h

International tests indicate that American fourth graders rank among the top students in the world in science and above average in math. By eighth grade, they have moved closer to the middle of the pack. By 12th grade, our students score near the bottom of all industrialized nations. As a result, too many of them enter college without even the basic skills needed to pursue a degree in science or engineering. </quote> Example of international tests: PISA 2006 http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/13/39725224.pdf http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/13/39725224.pdf