Minnesota Schools Perform Well on International Stage
Minnesota, one of two states with schools participating in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), ranked above average in all four major categories that the study measures. The strong showing is believed to be the result of rigorous state standards for math and science.
Minnesota educators started teaching math and science problems that other countries tend to focus on and saw their scores make some of the highest jumps of all the countries participating in TIMSS. The success on the international test has also resulted in high scores on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) exam, leading many to believe that other states should begin focusing on international standards as a guideline to improving education quality at home.
"States need to go outside their boundaries to see what [other states and foreign countries are] doing," said Gary W, Phillips, a chief scientist at the American Institute of Research. Participating in tests like TIMSS is a good start, he argues (via Education Week).
