from Moore, D. W. (2009). “Advocating Reading Instruction in Middle and High School Classrroms” in Literacy Instruction for Adolescents, edited by Karen D. Wood and William E. Blanton, pp. 13-33
One, revealing one of the weaknesses of our country:
“the United States is among the least effective industrialized countries in ameliorating the results of low social and economic status on academic performance” (19).
Two, revealing strengths about our country that aren't included in the debates on test results (i.e. we aren't doing as poorly as you think):
“In 2007-2008, the U.S. ranked first among all nations in global competitiveness, sustained economic productivity, and prosperity (World Economic Forum, n.d.). Perhaps the U.S. scores are satisfactory, indicating an appropriate balance of test-taking abilities along with habits of mind and spirit like initiative, independence, and inquiry. Reading scores do not necessarily indicate national wealth or quality of life” (23).