When was the last time you tried to help a teen with their math homework and felt completely stumped? You're not alone—and it’s not just about individual struggles. Math performance among Canadian students has been a growing concern for educators, parents, and policymakers alike. Are kids actually getting worse at math, or are we just more aware of it now? To get a clearer picture, we turn to one of the most comprehensive international tools used to assess student performance globally.Understanding the Benchmark: What is PISA?1The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), is a worldwide study organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Every three years, it evaluates the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in reading, science, and mathematics across dozens of countries. But this isn't your average school test. PISA doesn’t just ask whether students can calculate a percentage—it assesses how well they can apply their knowledge to...