China and U.S. Can Swap Ideas about Math and Science

Abstract

In an era when technology and the rapid flow of information dominate every major area of economic growth, innovation and excellence in math and science are integral to any nation's long-term success. So there is a strong interest in every country in learning about best practices in math and science education. The rising economies of Asia admire U.S. scientific research and innovation and send their students to train in America's graduate schools. Yet the United States, dominant in science for most of the second half of the 20th century, is concerned that its long-term scientific capacity may be eroding; international comparisons of student achievement show that performance of American K-12 students continues to be mediocre compared with students in other countries, including East Asia. Take China as an example of an East Asian system. What can the United States learn from the Chinese system about how to produce scientific competence on a broad scale across the population? And what can China learn from the United States about producing innovation? Learning from China There are several key ways in which China, and East Asia more broadly, have been successful in producing higher student achievement in math and science. These include: National standards and aligned instruction. China has national standards in math and science that drive coherent textbook content, teacher preparation, and professional development, whereas in the United States, there is a great deal of variation in the rigor and quality of standards across educational jurisdictions. Strong core curriculum. In China, biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as algebra and geometry, are mandatory for completion of high school. In the United States, students are allowed to choose among different levels of learning, and many opt out of more advanced courses. Rigorous teacher preparation. In China, far higher proportions of science and math teachers have degrees in their discipline than their U.S. counterparts. And specialist math and science teachers are employed in the elementary schools, unlike in the United States, where most primary teachers are generalists, typically responsible for all subjects. Examinations focus students. China's education system is exam-driven. Math and science play a major role in the highly competitive entrance examinations for universities. U.S. college entry requirements are broader and do not require as much math and science competence. Time on task. Chinese schools and learning time after school are intense and focused on academics. The Chinese school year is a full month longer at the secondary level than American schools and, overall, Chinese students spend twice as many hours studying as their U.S. peers. Learning from the United States Curriculum. The Chinese curriculum, while rigorous, is overloaded with scientific facts and weak in teaching inquiry. A major curriculum reform is now attempting to remedy that, informed in part by U.S. traditions of curriculum design. …