<p>The difference in math abilitites from different countries is in a way math is taught in school. American kids are very unfortunate. Algebra, geometry, trig starts in 5 -6 grade in other countries. These are taught as different subjects concurrently (ususally on different days of the week). By the time kids are in HS, they already know what is considered HS math in US, and they know it much deeper, since they have spent several years studying. In addition, math is used to develop logical thinking process with stress on proofs, deriving of formulas, not memorizing them. </p>
<p>American kids are exceptionally talented, production of “melting” pot of human genes. Elementary and HS education by opinion of immigrants from various countries is lacking considerably in comparison to other countries that spend fraction of US cost of education per student. Pouring more $$ will not help!</p>