Final answer:
The top-ranked nations in science and math education share common characteristics, such as well-established standards, recruitment of top teachers, and specialized subject matter expertise.
Step-by-step explanation:
When TIMSS experts recorded math teachers in the United States, Germany, and Japan, they found that the top-ranked nations in science and math had several things in common. First, they had well-established standards for education with clear goals for all students. Second, they recruited teachers from the top 5 to 10 percent of university graduates each year. Third, they focused on teacher effectiveness by ensuring that teachers specialized in the subject matter they taught. These factors contribute to the success of these countries in math and science education.