The PRC has exams called "gaokao" which are college entrance exams similar to the SAT and ACT. These exams focus on language and math just like the SAT's. The only difference is that in the United States students can take the SAT's multiple times. Also, if a student does not gain admission to any university, there are junior colleges and other routes that he can take to eventually find a career. In the PRC, students who fail the "gaokao" often do not find their desired career and can end up unemployed. I feel that there are more safety nets here in the United States that help students who have failed the SAT to eventually succeed in life.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Chapter 16
After reading about education in the People's Republic of China in Gutek Chapter 16, my views of the Chinese school system have changed. I was under the impression that students in China would spend more hours per week in school compared to the United States; however, they are about even at 25 hours per week. A major difference though is that in China there are sixty-student classes and all classes are lectures. It is a more rigid system than we have here.
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Ben brought up a good point here with the "gaokao" exam.
ReplyDeleteHistorically, China had exams that were "arranged like a ladder" where each rung gave you a position in the bureaucracy depending on how well you were able to memorize and recall information. I think that these "gaokao" exams are similar to these tests to become "shih," or civil administrators because students only have one chance at upwards mobility. In the past, people were not able to enter the ruling elite without the exam, and now, as Ben said, students who may not do well on the "gaokao" may end up unemployed.
I feel like this system adds to the high competition in the Chinese schooling system. Also, when I think of the gaokao exam, I relate it to the Baccalaureat, a similar test in France at the end of highschool. In order to enter a university, a student must pass the BAC. Not taking, or failing the BAC, will increase (perhaps not to the same degree as in China) the chances of being unemployed. I think that Ben is correct that they United States has more of a gradual progression (or safety net) so that one test does not make or break a person's career.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Craig. The system in china of the "gaokao" does seem to add to the competative nature of the education system in china. Do you believe that this competition is a good thing? yes it does motivate the students to do better in their classes, but it also causes a lot of stress. Meanwhile in the US the "saftey nets" of Jr and community colleges take away from this pressure. however china's system seem to be the best way to find the best of the best.
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