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Headlines often paint a grim picture of the American education system compared to peer nations. However, broad strokes about underperforming American students don't capture key details of the story. The U.S. education system and student achievement are varied and complex.

To be sure, American education has room for improvement. Standardized reading and math exam scores remained relatively unchanged since the 1970s before falling slightly between 2020 and 2022. Although COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns are in the rearview mirror, their lasting impact is apparent in high student disengagement rates and chronic absenteeism. In 2023, the average state-level rate of students missing at least 10% of classes was 26%, a significant increase from 16% in 2019, according to data from FutureEd.

Globally, the primary tool for measuring the effectiveness of education systems is the Programme for International Student Assessment test. Administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development every three years, PISA measures a 15-year-old's mathematics, science, and reading proficiency.

Numerade analyzed data from the OECD to see how the U.S. compares with the rest of the world in its academic performance.

On the most recent PISA test in 2022, the U.S. ranked 20th out of 81 countries and territories, which comprise 90% of the world's economies. Rankings were based on average scores across all three main PISA subjects.

Because America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, there's an expectation that it should rank higher among countries like Japan, South Korea, and Finland, ranked third, fifth, and 12th, respectively, known for their outstanding education systems. However, a closer look at the data reveals a more nuanced story. While the U.S. does lag behind other developed nations, and some studies show a correlation between economic growth and academic achievement, the exact relationship between economic resources and test scores is complex. And that's especially true in a country as expansive and diverse as America.

For one thing, the U.S. had the largest population out of any country the OECD tracked in 2022. It also has a decentralized education system, where what students learn varies tremendously depending on their state or even their county. Many other countries have only a single national curriculum.

As one of the most diverse OECD nations, America's cultural and ethnic makeup also plays a role. American educators must adapt to students from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Critics of the PISA in the U.S. also note that the higher percentage of disadvantaged students compared to other OECD countries impacts the nation's overall test performance.

Factors such as these make it hard to draw lessons about the country's education system as a whole.

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