Catchingup

Young Zhao

About the Author• Raised in China• Has taught in China• Currently Education Professor at Michigan

State Purpose of Text

• Achievement Gap• Differences between U.S. and Chinese

Systems• Education’s role in the 21st Century

The Gap• Racial Achievement Gap• International Performance Gap

The Current Answer• Standards Based Reforms• No Child Left Behind

"Accountability is an exercise in hope.  When we raise academic standards children raise their academic sights.  When children are regularly tested, teachers know where and how to improve.  When scores are known to parents, parents are empowered to push for change.  When accountability for our schools is real,  the results for our children are real."  George W. Bush U.S. Department of education , 2002

Racial Gap• Not defined by race but rather by poverty

International Gap• 1964 – First FIMS international test given• Keith Baker in 2007 ran an analysis of the

economic predictions those scores made 40 years later.

• A negative correlation exists

1957 Sputnik The Russians NDEA

• First Federal tinkering

1983 Nation at Risk 1984 budget halved Fear Japan

"Bring God back into the classroom.  Encourage tuition tax credits for families using private schools.  Support vouchers.  Leave the primary responsibility for education to parents.  And please abolish that abomination, the Department of Education"

Standardized Tests AYP Stringent Outcomes

"Being able to reduce the quality of education to some kind of score that allows comparison across different states appeals to the public in a simplistic fashion.  It is misleading, but immensely popular. "   page 33

1/131 on the 2007-2008 competitive index

2/3 of the 300,000 patents issued in 2002 went to the U.S.

From 1983-2006 our per capita income went from $9,494 to $26,352

1993 – 2003 number of college grads increased 40%

"Although not perfect, the United States is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where individuals are so-valued.  To a much greater degree than others in the world, American have espoused the belief of Albert Einstein that, "all that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual ".  page

Value of the Individuality Strength in Diversity

"Although not perfect, the United States is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where individuals are so-valued.  To a much greater degree than others in the world, American have espoused the belief of Albert Einstein that, "all that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual ".  page 47

2004-2007 Values Survey• 82% of Americans want an interesting job• 42% what an important job• 18% of Chinese want an interesting job• 23% of Chinese want an important job

Premiere Wen’s Anxiety• November 2006 meeting with Qian Xuessen• Lack of innovation on the part of Chinese

students• Innovation = progress and profitability

How to teach innovation?• Chinas Patent Office

In invention category 72% of patents went to foreigners and 5.4% to the native Chinese

1. Access 2. Success of Graduates

Keju Exam• Began in 605 AD• Focused on memorizing Confucian Classics• Only method of mobility

Gaoko • College entrance exam began in 70s• Until 2005 the only determinant for entry• Still determines mobility – citizenship

system

Gaofeng – dineng: high scores low ability

Teenage depression / suicide Obesity on the Rise IELTS – China below the average for

nations with 8 years of English. 5.45 / 9 average. 6 needed by most companies.

World is changing for both cultures Communication is Instant / Cheap Trade increases Population mobility Immigration and Emigration

Web 2.0 has led to incredible technology growth

Where does virtual and real begin and end.

New opportunities• Online economy• Communication changes• Traditional model upended• Gold farming / ebay/ esports

What do we need to know? America’s egocentric perception. We all need each other: Global

Village Cooperation over Competition

Systems can learn from each other. 21st Century Skills Their world is not our world Policy choices often have unintended

consequences

www.soulycatholichs.blogspot.com Twitter: caroy www.charlieroy.wordpress.com

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