Faith + Reason = Truth

Since the 1980's, we've seen alarming reports of global test results showing that other countries' grade school students have surpassed the US with their math and science scores.  I question whether math/science/any other ability can be evaluated on the basis of test scores alone.  And I also question whether it even matters that Chinese or Indian or German students are stronger in math than their US counterparts, as long as the best and brightest ultimately end up applying their knowledge at American universities/institutions/companies.  And there can be no question of whether or not THAT is happening (it most certainly is).
The reason I question the assessability of math or science or any other skills by using standardized testing is because it's impossible, at least currently, to test creativity in these areas.  What was more important for Einstein:  memorization of the periodic table, which he may have tested poorly on when compared to peers in his own or other countries, or creative brilliance, which allowed him to conjure in his mind's eye what the underlying rules and structure of the universe may look like?   And was Thomas Edison, the most prolific inventor in American (world?) history, known far and wide for his genius in calculus, or for his ability to put forth effort and creative ideas to discover and invent?  Granted, an individual of the caliber of a Stephen Hawking, possessing both creative AND numerical genius sure comes in handy on the theoretical side of the house, but can anyone honestly believe that his amazing mathematical mind is the result of the system under which he learned mathematics in elementary or high school?  No; he is an anomaly among anomalies, and would have shone brightly no matter where he came from.
The focus should be on maintaining, or preferably increasing, our lead in mathematical and scientific research institution performance and contribution, by continuing to make them attractive to the best the world has to offer.  There will be hiccups along the way, as with our nation's stem cell policy, that allow other nations to take the lead in certain areas; for now, however, America's mathematical and scientific community is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is our education system in these areas, with its strengths being its hands-on experimental focus that engages children and young adults in ways that equations and theorems simply cannot for most people, alongside involved parents who are constantly purchasing and using products, museums, and experiences for their children to maximize their interactivity with the world around them.  I like our chances.