American students need to hit the books. According to the latest international data, the United States ranks 24th among 34 developed countries in math and science achievement – well below countries like Slovenia, Vietnam and the Czech Republic. Our dismal academic performance has real consequences for our economy. If U.S. students were to match the test scores of their Canadian peers – who rank 17 spots higher– the American economy would generate $10 trillion in additional growth during the next 35 years. That’s an average of $285 billion a year.