International Math and Science Study
Description
The International Math and Science Study ranks countries by student performance in mathematics and science through comparative assessments. President Bartlet cites its latest results placing the United States 19th out of 21 nations during a therapy session with Dr. Stanley Keyworth. This data sparks his diagnosis of national educational failure, where teachers lack subject expertise and test scores mislead, and he ties poor rankings to real-world consequences like high infant mortality rates.
Event Involvements
Events with structured involvement data
S4E11
·
Holy Night
From Rankings to Lives: Bartlet Frames an Education Emergency
The International Math and Science Study supplies the factual backbone for Bartlet's diagnosis—its ranking (U.S. 19/21) triggers the conversation and justifies policy concern and spending reallocation.
Active Representation
Quoted statistical result presented by the President as authoritative evidence.
Power Dynamics
Acts as an external arbiter of comparative performance, constraining national pride and guiding policy agenda.
Institutional Impact
Its ranking catalyzes the President's moral framing of education as a public‑health issue, nudging the administration toward large‑scale education and health responses.
Organizational Goals
Provide comparative educational metrics.
Influence national self‑assessment and policy prioritization.
Influence Mechanisms
Reputational pressure via published rankings
Providing benchmark data that informs policy debate