US Kids Lag in Math, Science

American teens are worse at math and science than peers in 16 of 30 countries, according to test results released today. The 5,600 US students who took the test last year scored 24th in math, but almost made average in science. "How are our children going to be able to compete with the children of the world?" an education advocate asked. "The answer is not well."

Experts say the test, which scored 400,000 15-year-olds worldwide, should spark reform in the federal No Child Left Behind law; a panel appointed by Bush will soon propose upgrades in math education, especially algebra. Meanwhile, the Fins reign supreme in science and math, and Mexicans scored lowest in both, the Washington Post reports. (More student stories.)