An international study designed to assess student performance has found that math scores for U.S. students are continuing to decline while science and reading scores remain stagnant.

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting on the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tested more than a half million 15 year-old students in 70 nationals and educational systems. The study, which is conducted every three years, selects schools at random with an eye toward keeping student backgrounds and abilities as inclusive as possible.

The latest report found that American students are continuing to lag behind their counterparts in several Asian nations, particularly in mathematics where they are below the international average.

"This pattern that we're seeing in mathematics seems to be consistent with what we've seen in previous assessments ... everything is just going down," said Peggy Carr, acting commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics.

American student test results also showed that they are only performing at the average level in science and reading.

According to the AP, the test, which is based on a 1,000 point scale, found the following:

-In math, the U.S. average score was 470, below the international average of 490. Average scores ranged from 564 in Singapore to 328 in the Dominican Republic.

-In science, the U.S. average score was 496, about the same as the international average of 493. Average scores ranged from 556 in Singapore to 332 in the Dominican Republic.

-In reading, the U.S. average score was 497, around the same as the international average of 493. Average scores ranged from 535 in Singapore to 347 in Lebanon.

Science and reading scores remained flat among American students with math scores continuing a decline that began in 2009.

Globally, U.S. students were outperformed in 36 countries in math, 18 countries in science and 14 countries in reading.

Gender differences were also a factor around the globe with boys in 33 countries outperforming girls in science with smaller differences found in reading and math. Finland was the only country where girls were more likely to be top performers than boys.

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