The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) was a study led by Boston College to assess the state of science and mathematics education in 41 countries throughout the world.It tested more than a half million students of multiple grade levels and included surveys and questionnairesof thousands of teachers and principals.
This study ranked the United States in the middle of the grouping.Specifically, the US was ranked, in a group of about 40 countries, as follows:
MATHEMATICS
7th grade: 23
8th grade: 27
SCIENCE
7th grade: 13
8th grade: 17
Complete testing information and results can be found at http://timss.bc.edu/timss1995.html
The results of this study increased an already existing anxiety (originally ignited by "A Nation at Risk" ) about the United States falling behind in the sciences and mathematics.Fear that the country would lose prominence in industry and economics was reinforced by these findings.