Should the US Take a Page Out of China’s Schoolbook?

Pretty impressive.

Mimicking is almost never a successful strategy. What can be successful is learning from what others do well and adopting the good ideas in ways that makes sense in your system.

Seed Magazine’s article is based on a report by The Asia Society (”dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd”) - Math/Science Education in a Global Age. From the introduction of the report:

Some things are not that complicated. If you choose not to put in the work to study and learn you are less likely to be equally prepared. The USA can make excuses for poor performance compared to other countries or can decide that we don’t really want to try and be as successful (say aim for about 40th place among counties for level of primary science education). It seems to me the more honest assessment right now is we don’t want to put in the effort that other countries do. That is a choice that seems to have been made, and while I think it is a mistake, that doesn’t mean the USA can’t still make it - I know that might surprise you that an option I disagree with might be chosen

• International science education achievement
• Science Education in the USA, Japan…

Some good stuff: there are plenty of bright spots the problem is people see good ideas and think that means we are in fine. It is not that difficult to improve. The challenge is to improve as quickly as others do (or as quickly as is reasonable to expect - we should be able to build upon what has come before).

• Science Education in the 21st Century
• Middle School Science Teacher
• Colorado Science Teacher of the Year