2. We have travelled around the globe to explore different education systems
3. Introduction
We have travelled together around the world to explore
different education systems.
This trip includes countries from group presentations
(US, England, South Korea, and China) and the
individual studies of selected countries (Japan,
Singapore, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania, India, and
Mexico).
Throughout the journey, I will be discussing successes
and concerns of countries we visited, and then what
can the United States education system learn from this
journey.
5. The USA (concerns)
Multicultural educational reform
Difficult to “create the policy and structural supports needed
to institutionalize multicultural education in schools”
Teacher education
Standards-based educational reform
Narrows curriculum and limits pedagogy
Promotes an assimilation agenda
6. England (successes)
National Curriculum
SAT
Provide children with access to “broad, balanced, differentiated,
and relevant school experience”
Students’ emotional health and positive behaviors
Early childhood education
Every Child Matters
Special education needs and inclusion
Children’s services
health, safety, enjoyment and achievement, positive
contribution, economic well-being.
Status of teachers
national standard for certification of teachers
7. England (concerns)
Curriculum issues
Students with learning difficulties are at highest risk
SAT scores (credibility)
Governance issue
Funding, based on size of school
Decline in the power vested in LEAs
Pupils behavior issues
Challenging behavior
More pupil referral units
Educational and Social Inclusion Issues
Pupils who prevent others from learning are not included in regular classes
Personal and Social Education Issues
Less attention on emotional development, personal care, etc.
More focus on Standards
8. South Korea (successes)
Opportunities for education have conspicuously
expanded.
Education has made many qualitative changes.
Illiteracy has dropped.
Parental involvement
Education has contributed to political, economic,
social and cultural development.
Education relates to an increase in social mobility.
Traditional value.
9. South Korea (concerns)
High suicidal rates
Overcrowded classrooms
Building more schools, especially in urban areas.
Diverse population
Accommodate students from the diverse cultures, religions,
generations, and classes.
Lack of democracy in the country is a challenge to the
education sector.
Curriculum changs
Gender equality
Private education
10. China (successes)
Students are expected to perform well on standardized
tests
Evaluating and revising education system on a regular
basis.
Technology usage
11. China (concerns)
The Linguistic and Technological Divides
Gab between urban and rural areas
Curriculum Reform and Heavy Study Load
Pressure on students to perform well
Education of Domestic Migrant Children
Domestic migrant children are not eligible for free access to
public schools
Creating World-Class Universities
Research and publication
More assistant, associate and full professors
12. Japan (successes)
High quality education by international standards
Across OECD countries, Japan is ranked one of the top four
countries in Reading and Science, and top seven in
Mathematics scores according to PISA results (2012); and
ranked one of the top five according to TIMMS results (2011)
Japan succeeded in “bringing up excellent leaders and
workers to promote modern industry”
13. Japan (concerns)
School drop out rates
School violence and bullying
Students’ lack of interest
Teachers’ workload
Crises of childhood
More focus on standardized testes and less oh human
development
14. Singapore (successes)
High scores on standardized tests
Student development
University graduation rates increased
Gender equality
Bilingual policy
Profession development hours for teachers
15. Singapore (concerns)
Preschool education is not funded
Gap between low-income and high-income families
Private tutoring business
Wealthy students are taking advantage of it
16. Italy (successes)
Early childhood education
98% of children at age of 3 are enrolled in early childhood
program
The education system is improving quickly
17. Italy (concerns)
Low scores on standardized tests
High drop out rates
Poor assessment techniques
18. Belgium(successes)
Flemish education
High quality education by international standards
Schools are responsible for their own curricula
School reports are published online
Funded schools
19. Belgium (concerns)
Flemish education
Private schools
Not funded, not recognized
Low performance of students from low socioeconomic
status
Internal evaluation is not not connected to external
evaluation
20. Finland (successes)
High scores on standardized tests
Education is a human right
Free education from preschool up to university
More play time
to reduce anxiety
Qualified teachers
Attractive salary
Comfortable schedule
21. Finland (concerns)
Finland education system is very successful and my
research on their concerns was very limited.
What is better than having less class time and more
recess time, attractive salary for teachers with few
working hours. On the top of that, high scores on
standardized tests.
22. Lithuania (successes)
High literacy rates
Funded preschool education
No assessments for primary education
Focus on individual progress
Individual education plan in upper secondary education
Focus on teacher training and pedagogy
23. Lithuania (concerns)
Teachers can teach primary and basic education
without a bachelor degree
Compulsory education is only 10 years, this is less than
the US, which is 12 years
24. India (successes)
High literacy rates
Easy access to schools in rural areas
Open Schools (from distance)
Well-developed adult education system
“Education for Women’s Equality” initiative
25. India (concerns)
Poverty, child labor, children working in farming prevent
children from education
Graduates rate more than jobs available
Teachers are not well-paid
Private institution
Create gap between children from low-income and high-
income families
26. Mexico (successes)
Years of compulsory education increased
Funded textbooks
Qualified teachers
Innovative education programs
Less student-teacher ration
Free breakfast for poor children
28. PISA results
(2012)
These are the results of Program of
International Assessment (2012).
Take a look at the table to find the
ranking of the countries discussed
in this presentation.
29. TIMSS (2011)
These are the results of the Trends
in International Mathematics and
Science Study.
Take a look at the table to find the
average scores of the countries
discussed in this presentation.
30. Reflection
What can the Unites States education system learn from
this journey?
Throughout this amazing and very inserting journey
around the world, there are a few successful elements I
believe it would benefit the US education system:
1. Funded education
2. Balance
3. Teacher’s professional development and salary
31. Funded education
Ensuring free education for all should be a basic human
right starting from preschool up to university education.
This includes cost of tuition, school meals, learning
materials, textbooks, equipment, facilities, student
counseling, transportation, etc. This is to ensure that
students from different socioeconomic status have equity
access to quality education.
By doing this, teachers can focus on teaching and
enhance learning, and bringing new ideas and practices
to schools.
32. Balance
Balance is the key to a successful education system.
South Korea, for example, focused more on standardized
tests and less on emotional and physical well-being; high
suicidal rates in school occurred.
Finland was a great example of balancing between school
work and play time, and they are one of the best countries
not just in standardized tests, but also preparing students
for their future careers.
33. Teachers
Improving education system should start with
strengthening education profession and investing in
teachers preparation and support. When teachers are
well-prepare and trusted, teaching become a highly
respected and appreciated profession.
Attractive salaries and acceptable workload are important
factors that play role in teacher’s productivity. When
teachers are satisfied, they would focus more teaching
and learning, and students’ emotional and physical
support.
34. Final thoughts
This journey around the world has been an amazing
learning experience. It allowed me to gain knowledge and
insight into the education system in each country
discussed, and how to bring back those successful
experiences to improve the US education system.
Emtinan
35. References
All group and individual presentations, thanks to:
Natalie, Mark, Rachel, Marcia, Amena, Elif, and Mia
Mazurek, K., & Winzer, M. A. (2006). Schooling around
the world: Debates, challenges and practice. New York,
NY: Pearson Education.