Comparative Perspectives on Educational Assessment System at Primary Schools in Japan and Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The comparison of different dimensions of successful and unsuccessful educational system is a popular trend among educational researchers in developing countries. The educational success of Japanese students in international examinations has triggered many researchers all around the world to pay attention to the role of educational system of this country. In the meanwhile, Asian countries have a feeling of closeness to Japan and think they can follow the footsteps of Japan as an ideal model. In Iran and over the last two decades , the Japanese model of education has drawn the attention of researchers involved in education. This interest toward Japan stems from these facts: (1 ) Japan is an E astern country and abides by its cultural and traditional system ; and (2 ) Japan’s educational advancement. In addition, Iranian researchers pay particular attention to Japan’s primary school period as the most fundamental stage because international surveys , such as T i MSS ( Trend i n Mathematics and Science Study ) reveals that Iranian primary school pupils do poorly on the math and science exams. One of the reasons of such poor results is the weakness of educational assessment system of Iran. The present article attempts to look at the evaluation system in both countries from a comparative perspective. In the first part, the reasons for the comparison are clarified. In the second part, an overview of the two countries educational system is presented. Part three elucidates common evaluation methods in two countries. In the end, we conclude with a comparative outlook to some of the similarities and differences between Japan and Iran. KEY WORDS : The comparison , educational system , Japan and Iran, model of education , similarities and differences , and the math and science exams . About the Authors: Dr. Abbas Madandar Arani is a Lecturer at the Department of Education, Lorestan University, Khorramabad City, Iran; Dr. Lida Kakia is Chairwoman of Social Studies Group, the Education Organization of Tehran (District 6), Tehran City, Iran; and Zahra Babaei is Head of Ayob Hosayni Middle Secondary School, the Education Organization of Tehran (District 5), Tehran City, Iran. For academic interests, the authors can be contacted via their e-mails at: rie2000@gmail.com , lida.kakia@gmail.com , and babaei.zahra@ymail.com How to cite this article? Arani, Abbas Madandar, Lida Kakia & Zahra Babaei. (2015). “Comparative Perspectives on Educational Assessment System at Primary Schools in Japan and Iran” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies , Vol.7(2) February, pp.93-102. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press and UMP Purwokerto, ISSN 1979-7877. Chronicle of the article: Accepted (September 29, 2014); Revised (November 14, 2014); and Published (February 28, 2015).