Department of Education takes look at how American kids are doing in mathematics . According to the Department of Education , some of the skills required to achieve a basic level of understanding of mathematics at the fourth-grade level include performing simple computations with whole numbers ; showing understanding of fractions and decimals ; and solving simple real-world problems . Comment: Massachusetts , Minnesota , Vermont , New Hampshire , New Jersey ranked high . District of Columbia had lowest marks in both grades , but its scores are up since '07 .
Department of Education takes look at how American kids are doing in mathematics . Comment: Massachusetts , Minnesota , Vermont , New Hampshire , New Jersey ranked high . District of Columbia had lowest marks in both grades , but its scores are up since '07 .