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Grades 4-6

U.S. Gets a Good Grade

Good news: A study released last week shows that math scores are up for U.S. students. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is the world's largest review of math and science achievement. Since 1995, the tests have been given every four years to fourth- and eighth-grade students in the U.S. and more than 35 other countries. In 1995, the average math score for U.S. fourth graders was 518. In 2007, it went up to 529.

But there's room for improvement. Science scores have not gone up. "We must pick up the pace," said Education Secretary Margaret Spellings.

Students in Asia scored the best on the tests. In Hong Kong, where students scored highest in math, the average score was 607.

The TIMSS showed that there are few differences in test results between girls and boys. In the U.S., boys did better than girls in fourth-grade math. But by eighth grade, that gap had disappeared. For more, go to timeforkids.com/math.

Most Improved

Score! Fourth-grade students in these countries made the biggest gains in math. In England, test scores increased by 57 points.

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