The education systems have changed not only in the United States but also throughout the world over the years. Have you ever been asked would you do it over again, go back to school and change what you did when you went to school the first time? Think about that question, what would you do? Consider your academics, extra curricular activities, and the friends you have made. My answer has always been no, I would not go back and do it over. I would not go back and do it over because of the stress that has been put onto young people today. The stress is not about learning and having fun while doing it but about taking and passing the test.
Which test do they have to pass? The state of Pennsylvania currently has two exams that students in various grades must pass: the Keystone Exams and the PSSA. What are these exams:
• Keystone Exams are defined by The Pennsylvania Department of Education as the end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Literature, English Composition, Biology, Chemistry, U.S. History, World History, and Civics and Government. Just one component of Pennsylvania’s new system of high school graduation requirements. They will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards (2015).
• The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student’s attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards.
Some may ask how is education a topic of global leadership. It serves as a topic since leaders need to understand how people learn, grown from experiences, how youth handle stress and finally how cultures grow from the education systems.
The other day I had the opportunity to hear a story of a young Asian student who had to change her plans for life. Having attended a college preparatory school; made excellent grades; and made her family very proud of her accomplishments. Only to crash and burn, or maybe hit a brick wall that changed the outlook for her future as well as for her family. Having to convince her family that it was in their best interest for her to take a gap year from school. The gap year allowed her to work, become more responsible and think about what her future held for her.
The exams taken by Asian students is referred to as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment that measures reading, mathematics, and science literacy every three years (2013). When a student fails the exam it changes the focus of life and is often unexpected as these students are the top of their classes and have planned with their families to go to college.
China and India have shared three important features in their respective journeys toward a modern national education system:
- First having long perceived education as integral to their economic development;
- second have had an elitist tradition in education spanning over two thousand years; and
- finally both countries have adopted a curriculum focused on science and technology (Goldman, 2008).
Students within the United States and Asian Countries have the same pressures put on them to do well in school by studying hard, and taking the test to show they have mastered the skills. With the lack of socialization, fun, and a chance to be kids they are forced to grow up way to fast. Global Leaders have the same amount of stress placed on them to make sure that students do well, and are able to be representatives of their countries.
References:
C-Span. (October 18, 2012). Conestoga Valley students prepare for Keystone Exams in algebra I. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGcVaDJKDic
C-Span. (December 1, 2011). PISA – Measuring student success around the world. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1I9tuScLUA
C-Span. (March 15, 2012). PSA Testing. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=143Ze30A-bY
Diligent Asian students dominate global exam, Didi Tang, December 4, 2013, http://news.yahoo.com/diligent-asian-students-dominate-global-exam-125345119.html
Goldman, C. A., Kumar, K. B., Liu, Y., & Rand Corporation. (2008). Education and the asian surge: A comparison of the education systems in india and china. Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND.
Minority education in china: Balancing unity and diversity in an era of critical pluralism (2013). Hong Kong University Press. doi:10.5790/hongkong/9789888208135.001.0001
Michael Mccormick says
This is a good point, as we see more and more high paying technical professions going to individuals with these backgrounds of educational experience. Myself, I don’t like the PSSA and any other test like it. My daughter is a slow reader but her comprehension is off the charts. So by her reading slow she usually has a hard time with these… even though she is an honor student.
Back to the point of global leadership, these regions do seem to align the kids with the paths that will best suit the country from which they are from. By almost choosing the path these governments can make sure they have the individuals that are the most qualified for these technical positions. Sometimes I wonder if its all a game of “I’m better than you” or “my country is smarter than your country”.
Like the last reply stated, I respect the culture but I want my kids to be kids and by being kids they can find hobbies and topics that they enjoy.
mdh8 says
Chris,
Thank you for your feedback. I also did not finish the first time around! I would not go back and do high school over; but I have made the choice to go back and do my college life over. As an adult I believe we see things differently and appreciate them more.
Again, thank you for your comment.
Christopher Andrew Eubank says
What a fascinating question, “if you could do it over again, would you?” My answer is simple, and in actuality, I am living my answer. I would do it again, regardless of the newer pressures.
I did not finish school the first time around. I spent my first few years at the University of Georgia falling into the trap that many small town kids do when they first arrive at the big college. I partied. I spent most of my nights drinking and chasing girls. In high school, learning was easy for me. My grades were exceptional and I did not have to work at it, because it was natural for me. When I first arrived at UGA, I had the same thoughts. I was terribly wrong.
A year and a half into my college career, I received a letter that changed my attitude. I had two options. Change fast and get better grades, or get kicked out of school for academic failure. I was on probation, something I had previously only identified with convicts. I was failing my way out of school.
For the next few years , I worked incredibly hard. I worked three part time jobs, two that were 20 hours a week a piece, and one that was seasonal depending on the sports season. I worked every night from 3am until 7am, went home and took an hour and a half nap, showered, went to class from 11am until 2pm, went to another job from 2-7, went home, slept woke up and repeated. The only time I did not live this pattern is when I took scheduled days off, or on Saturdays when I enjoyed the night life that comes with big school.
It was apparent that I was better at work than school, and I did not finish the first time around, instead choosing a full time career. I have been successful, despite that. At the same time, I am in an extremely demanding position and am attending school to close a gap on my resume. At the same time, I have a young family If I had the opportunity, knowing what I do now, I would go back and hope to have the same outcome but with a smoother path. That doesn’t mean I regret anything, but I believe lesson’s learned could have made things even better.
The pressure on kids in the US is intense, but only for specific demographics. I have always been “wowed” by the Japanese culture and the educational pressure they put on their children. It’s not done out of spite or to be overly demanding. The father’s of Japan simply want their children to have better lives, and they realize that pushing their children can create a path for that.
It is only strange to us because we know what it’s like to “truly be a kid.” Just like religion, in most cases, we only know what we know because that is how we have been developed. I firmly agree with kids being kids, but I respect greatly the Japanese culture and how their children are raised.
Overall a terrific post and discussion point. Well done and thanks for sharing!