US Falling Behind in Math and Science - Is This the Truth Or is This a Scare Tactic?

Is the United States of America falling dangerous behind in the educational strength of math and science? Well, some say yes, and others say no - depending of course, on what you mean by that statement. You see, the US colleges and Universities lead the world in their science and math programs, but, we find the students in HS are not keeping up with their counterparts in many nations.
Worse, now the Rand Corporation Think Tank has data and research showing that we are losing our competitive edge in science and math, which will affect our future in very negative way. One Math Teacher in a California Middle School stated:
"I believe it is always the older generation's agenda to say the new generation is falling apart. Elvis was the root of all evil in the 50's in the eyes of the older generation. Later the Hippies were the dawn of another generation collapse in the 60's and 70's. This trend will never go away."
Indeed, still in the aerospace industry the average aerospace worker is 58 years old and the kids who will be replacing them have not even started college yet. The shortages are huge already. It's also an issue in other first world nations. Even the cars are getting more complicated, and all the increases technology across all sectors will need more folks able to handle all these jobs, new jobs. To this comment, the math teacher replied:
"I have seen great progress in my years as a math teacher. 8th graders are required to complete courses that were once only offered in High School. Achievement scores rise each year at our school, and we are not alone. There are more students attending advanced placement courses than ever before. "
Do you believe this trend that you speak of in your school to be duplicating across the nation? If not why and if so then how often? Why ask these additional questions, simple, because even if some school districts are making a difference, the data does not lie, we are getting ourselves into a pickle and it is essential to admit this problem, address it and solve this challenge.