Common Knowledge becomes fact: Asian kids are smart in math/science

Mongul

Electoral Member
Dec 1, 2008
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Asian grade-school students rule math, science: study

Asian grade-school students rule math, science: study

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 12:53 PM ET Comments33Recommend12

CBC News


The best public-school mathematics and science students come from Asia, a new study shows.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) for 2007 showed that Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Korea ranked at the top of about 40 countries (and four Canadian provinces) in Grade 4 and Grade 8 math performance.
The same countries also topped the science list, with scores ranging from 548 to 587, where 500 is the international average.
The four provinces — B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec — also participated, although only Grade 4 students from Alberta were included in the results.
According to Ontario's Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), all four Canadian provinces were statistically the same on Grade 4 math, and all except Quebec were the same on Grade 4 science. Quebec was lower.
At the Grade 8 level, Quebec led the math ranking, while B.C. and Ontario were the same; Quebec was lower in science, but again B.C. and Ontario were statistically equal.

at least our post secondary education is still top notch :-?
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
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Vancouver Island
Yes, that is very true.
I clan vouch for this in the world of sports. My grandson, who is now in college on a golf scholarship, played junior golf for years, all over b.c., mostly on the lower
mainland. I attended many of his tournaments, as a driver, chaperone. Many
asian kids in golf, parents always with them, and very very serious. They treated
the golf as though it is a school subject. Stood over them at the range, scolding
them for poor play, and poor practice habits, and all in all the activity was approached in a way that is totally different to our north american style.
They were not mean to their kids, but their culture is to 'not waste a moment',
practice like you have no tomorrow, and be serious and work very very hard.
I'm wondering how many of those kids, after the fact, were sorry they had
initiated the desire to golf in the first place, as it seemed, in many cases that
they created monsters out of their parents, as, there was much money put into
the sport, and at the end of the day, a professional golfer, would make that
money back.
My grandson did the same, but, without any prodding from anyone, just support,
as everything he did was self induced, and came from his own desire to be the
best he could be in the game of golf. The same money was dealt out, but the
child was left alone to fight his way along, with 'tough love' at times, as the
sport can bring out demons from time to time.
This is not a criticism of the asian method, just an observation, as I have been
there, saw that.
School is different, and I like the way the asians approach it, it should be taken
very seriously, and there shouldn't be much flexability in the attitude, and how
much work the child puts into his school work. Too much of our school time is
spend on 'socializing', how we 'dress', 'bitching about teachers', etc., and not
enough realization that you are there to 'learn' and get 'good/high' grades.
It is only a short time in one's life, and the time spent on learning is important.
 

Mongul

Electoral Member
Dec 1, 2008
103
3
18
I find alot of Asian students that excel in my school have a lack of confidence in their ability to transmit their information verbally or use interpersonal skills to their advantage. Its not due to their lack of english skills, indeed many of these same students score well above the provincial average in english. I just think that the manner in which they learn does not foster the neccessary social skills or the sense of independance neccessary to succeed in modern western society. In the job market today, its not about what you know, but what you say and your ability to respond to change that matters.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
I find alot of Asian students that excel in my school have a lack of confidence in their ability to transmit their information verbally or use interpersonal skills to their advantage. Its not due to their lack of english skills, indeed many of these same students score well above the provincial average in english. I just think that the manner in which they learn does not foster the neccessary social skills or the sense of independance neccessary to succeed in modern western society. In the job market today, its not about what you know, but what you say and your ability to respond to change that matters.

I think that is very true.
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
285
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bliss
I have no doubts that Asia children are smarter at math etc. Having a relative who's just come back from teaching in China for three years, and is likely to head back again, I can attest to the way those children are educated. They are given little if any free time, they are dealt with harshly over their grades. The expectations on them are HUGE. They are smart alright. But at a price I'm not willing to pay in order to bring my kids up to par. Plain and simple. I like time with my kids.