A recent international survey of student achievement released on Tuesday, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), shows that American fourth- and eighth-grade students made solid achievement gains in math in recent years and in two states showed spectacular progress. As for the science performance, it was flat. The results also showed that several Asian countries continued to outperform the United States greatly in science and math, crucial subjects to economic competitiveness and research. Fourth-grade students in Hong Kong and eighth-grade students in Taiwan are the world's top scorers in math, while Singapore dominates in science at both grade levels, according to the survey.

The study involved testing a representative sample of students in each country in 2007. The results included fourth-grade scores from 36 countries and eighth-grade scores from 48 countries, in subjects like algebra, chemistry, geometry and physics. The study was directed by the International Study Center at Boston College. This is not the first time Asia is dominating the United States in fields such as math and science, as it has been like this since the 1990s. The data shows that half of the eighth graders scored at the advanced level in math in Taiwan, Korea and Singapore, compared with 6 percent of American students.

It's interesting to notice how societies like the ones in Taiwan or Korea have progressed in just a few decades. Even if student in Massachusetts and Minnesota also demonstrated stellar achievement, on average, the results say it quite clearly: the Asian countries are increasing their dominance. President-elect Barack Obama has promised to make math and science education a national priority, as the federal government will work with states to improve science education, beginning in preschool. Furthermore, he also plans to establish a teaching scholarship program in order to recruit graduates with backgrounds in math and science.