Final answer:
In studies assessing reading, mathematics, and science, U.S. students generally perform below the international average, falling behind in rankings such as the PISA and TIMSS. Disparities in educational resources and social background impact the achievement, with top-performing countries having a significantly higher proportion of 'resilient students'. Increasing spending on education has not translated into improved achievement, indicating a need for reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
In international studies of reading, mathematics, and science achievement, children in the United States generally perform at the below average. International assessment programs like the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) reveal that U.S. students fall behind their international peers, especially in mathematics and science. The PISA results from 2010 showed a decline in the U.S. ranking from fifteenth to twenty-fifth, and by 2018, there was no significant improvement in mathematics.
The TIMSS results underscore that the U.S. average score is at 515, only passing the intermediate benchmark, and not reaching the high benchmark. In contrast, some countries like Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore surpass the high benchmark, indicating a higher level of student achievement in these nations. Additionally, factors such as educational resources and social background have been identified as playing a significant role in these varying levels of achievement. Notably, countries with top rankings do not show low performance even with limited access to resources, and they have a higher proportion of 'resilient students' who overcome socioeconomic disadvantages.
The issue of educational achievement is complicated by a variety of factors, including socioeconomic status, educational resource allocation, and the quality of instructions. Despite increasing spending on education, the U.S. has not seen a corresponding improvement in standardized test scores, suggesting that education reform is critical for improving future outcomes in student achievement.