It's just simple math - version 2

Since Girl Scout cookies are now out, I bought 2 boxes this morning. They were $6 a box, so my total bill was $12.

I gave the woman selling the boxes a $20 bill and 2 dollars. She gave me back my $2, a $5 bill, and 3 ones, even after I suggested that she simply give me back a $10 bill.

A few weeks ago, Brian bought roughly $60 worth of groceries, and gave the cashier a $100 bill – which confused her.

She then gave Brian his $100 bill back, and roughly $40 in change AND he got to keep the groceries without paying for them.

Here is the problem:

In 2024, only 39% of American 4^th graders are proficient at math.

28% of 8^th graders are proficient, and only 22% of 12 graders are proficient.

https://usafacts.org/answers/what-percentage-of-students-in-the-us-are-proficient-in-math/

Although math proficiency needs a lot of improvement, proficiency in English is better – but only slightly.

Approximately 1 in 10 U.S. public school students are classified as English Learners (ELs) who are not yet proficient in English. While proficiency rates vary, recent data shows about 30% to 35% of all students (including native speakers) are proficient in reading. For ELs, proficiency scores have declined since the pandemic, particularly in younger grades. 

Is there a better way?

The answer is “yes”.

Based on the 2022 PISA results, 75% of Finnish 15-year-old students attained at least Level 2 proficiency in mathematics, placing them above the OECD average of 69%. While still performing above the average, this represents a decline, with roughly 25% of students falling below basic proficiency, a significant increase from 7% in 2000. 

Key details regarding proficiency in Finland:

 

• Top Performers: Approximately 9% of Finnish students were top performers in mathematics (Level 5 or 6) in 2022.
• Proficiency Definition: Level 2 proficiency means students can interpret and recognize how a simple situation can be represented mathematically without direct instructions.
• Trend: Despite a long-term, sharp decline in scores, Finland remains one of the stronger performers among EU countries.
• Context: Girls slightly outperformed boys by 5 score points in the 2022 assessment.
• Actions: Due to the decline, Finland added1 extra weekly lesson of mathematics to the curriculum for grades 1-6, effective August 2025. 

 

I published an article with the same title on January 12, 2019, which is why this article is the 2^nd edition.

https://tohell-andback.blogspot.com/2019/01/its-really-just-simple-math.html

Then, as now, the problem is the structure of the school system.

At one point in time, our school system was the best in the world – but that is no longer true. Today, that honor goes to Finland, and here is why:

https://tohell-andback.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-finns-are-smarter-than-us.html

As much as I would like to see us adopt some of the programs that Finland uses, it is not likely going to happen anytime soon.

Since the current administration plans to eliminate the Department of Education entirely, there is simply no way that our math and English proficiency scores can improve, ESPECIALLY in cities where the ICE goon squads make children afraid to go to school.

Eventually, our math and English proficiency scores WILL improve, but it will necessitate a change in leadership in our country before it can happen – and that is a topic for another time.

Since our current president is unable to talk in complete sentences, the eloquence of speech exhibited by Barack Obama can no longer be used as a model – and that is a shame.

Fortunately, Obama also had some ideas on how to improve our math scores:

President Obama prioritized STEM education, aiming to move American students from the "middle to the top of the pack" in math and science. He emphasized recruiting 100,000 new STEM teachers, increasing literacy in these fields, and promoting "maker" culture over consumption. He famously advocated for celebrating science fair winners like Super Bowl champions. 

 

Key themes from President Obama regarding math and education:

 

• STEM Focus: He launched the "Educate to Innovate" campaign to improve student participation and performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Global Competition: He frequently mentioned that U.S. students were lagging behind in math, stating, "our public schools had been the envy of the world, but the world caught up".
• Teacher Quality: He identified teacher quality as the "most important single factor" for student success in STEM fields, proposing a Master Teacher Corps.
• Equity and Access: He championed expanding STEM opportunities for underrepresented groups, including girls and minorities.
• Beyond the Classroom: He emphasized that boosting STEM literacy requires a culture shift where "the winner of the science fair" is celebrated, not just athletes.
• Economic Imperative: He linked math proficiency to the future economy and national security. 

Obama aimed to improve STEM education to prepare students for the 21st-century economy, ensuring they are producers rather than just consumers of technology. 

 Obviously, Obama cannot run for a third term, but there are many talented Democrats who can resurrect his vision once again – and that is a good thing.