Through that study, fourth- and eighth-graders from 60 nations around the world took tests in math and science in 2007. Minnesota, participating as a 'mini nation' for the first time since 1995, placed among the top 10 in every category.

That's good news. And it comes at a time when we could use a little good news.

The most exciting finding was Minnesota's dramatic improvement in math. While Minnesota ranked high in science in 1995, we were average at best in math. Over the past 12 years, however, our math performance skyrocketed, climbing at more than three times the rate of the United States as a whole. We still fall short of Taipei, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. But we're headed in the right direction.

This measurement of trends in math and science learning is more than a few test scores. It includes extensive surveys of students and educators to reveal the reasons behind the rankings. The preliminary analysis, conducted by William Schmidt, a professor of education and statistics at Michigan State University, offers some important lessons as we seek to improve overall education, to close the achievement gap between white and minority students, and to increase participation in higher education:

Statewide standards and assessments are crucial. Minnesota educators, legislators and the Department of Education worked for years to develop statewide standards and assessments that Schmidt complimented for being "focused, rigorous and coherent."

New teaching frameworks and standards-based curricula improve learning. Based on the 1995 survey findings, SciMathMN worked with educators to change fundamentally how math is taught in Minnesota. Teachers no longer try to cover every chapter in a textbook, focusing instead on a few core concepts each year.

More time well spent yields better results. With new standards and a more focused curriculum in place, elementary schools doubled the amount of time spent on math each day, from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. The amount of time spent on algebra in eighth grade increased from 10 percent of the school year in 1995 to more than 50 percent in 2007.

We've developed more competent students; now we'll provide them with more challenging curricula. In 2011, these promising fourth-graders will be the first class required to take algebra in grade eight. These same students will be required to take algebra II and chemistry or physics for graduation in 2015.

Not every student needs to be a scientist or mathematician. However, as more careers require post-secondary education, math's relevance increases. In fact, the number of mathematics courses completed in high school is one of the best indicators for college success, regardless of major. The logic and discipline of mathematics increases success in theater and language arts as well as in science and engineering.

Minnesota was the first state in the nation to participate individually in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study in 1995. We understood that to compete globally we had to measure ourselves against the rest of the world. We haven't reached the stars yet. Not only do large gaps remain between Minnesota and the very best in the world, but appalling gaps persist between Minnesota's white and minority students. And the performance of far too many high school students in math and science is far from stellar.

But the 2007 results confirm that we're on the right track.

Minnesota educators and policymakers have set the course for renewed leadership in education. But we cannot afford to be complacent. Despite these challenging economic times, we must guard our progress and plan for continued success by staying focused on what works: a high quality, constrained and coherent curriculum; effective teacher professional development, and courageous benchmarking of our progress against an international standard of excellence.

If we can maintain that trajectory, our children can reach the stars and our state can compete with the very best in the world for 21st-century careers and opportunities.

Eric J. Jolly is president of the Science Museum of Minnesota. His e-mail address is ejolly@smm.org. Charlie Weaver is executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership. His e-mail address is Charlie.R.Weaver@mnbp.com.