Whatever you have read or heard about China has changed. Themanufacturer of cheap junk is now the manufacturer of high quality technologyproducts. The nation of farmers (thoughstill 70%) is becoming a nation of factory workers and executives. Poor childrenhave grown up to be successful entrepreneurs. National enthusiasm, hope for thefuture and economic infrastructure are all on steroids.
There is no way to understand the zeal of the Chinese peoplewithout visiting. You can feel it in the air, cut it with a knife, if you will.However, you can visit, and still not understand China.
As Americans at all levels of participation are agreeingthat our educational system needs an overhaul, we look at other countries tosee what makes them successful.
The educational structure of China, K-12, has been likenedto a toppling layer cake by Amber Winkler. In ten days in China she struggledto obtain honest answers to the question of educational governance: who decideswhat and for whom? The answer appears to be a patchwork of government agencies at different levels of authority. Teachers have more autonomy at the elementary level where there is less pressure to perform. Overall teachers and principals do not seem to be able to influence hiring or curriculum. Her article is well worth reading, especially considering the blockbuster achievement of Shanghai’sstudents.
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| Village School near Xi'an (C) Lewis Moore, 2011 |
My recent experience in China was as part of a tour group.It became apparent after a few days that we were seeing what the Communistleaders wanted us to see and hearing the stories they wanted us to hear. It wasstill a wonderful trip. There is a dynamism in China that I have never experiencedin my own country or in travel to Europe and South America. People are willing to work hard, endure a lowerstandard of living, and sacrifice all for the betterment of their one child andthe children of China.
The tiered cake is not likely to topple, or at least notwithout a save from the national government, because all the people of Chinaare focused on the good of all the children of China.
What do you think?
