c9 understanding china's education system and youth culture - kongli liu

Understanding China’s Education System and Youth Culture

Kongli Liu

Assistant Director, U.S.-China Institute

Bryant University, Smithfield, RI

kliu1@bryant.edu

Lanzhou

Beijing

Snapshots of

U.S.-China Education Comparison and Exchanges

OECDProgram for International Student Assessment (PISA)

• Started in 1997• Assessed every 3 years• 15-year olds• Three key subjects: reading, math and science• Currently over 70 countries/regions participate

Source: http://www.oecd.org/pisa/

OECDProgram for International Student Assessment (PISA)

Chinese Students Studying in the U.S.

2001/02

2002/03

2003/04

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

Chinese Students Studying in the U.S.

Source: IIE Open Door Report: http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/Data

Chinese Students Studying in the U.S.

• Reasons

• Trend

1. Age

2. Diverse majors and areas

3. Diverse education background

“Tiger Mom”

Tiger Mom

Is it really about who’s superior?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAel_qRfKx8

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaG9McaTVoI

Visualizing Chinese Education

• Urban vs. Rural

• Youth Culture

• Progress, Challenges & Future

National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao)

• Extremely competitive• Exam subjects (Chinese, Mathematics, Foreign

Language, Sciences or Social Studies) • Total score is the only admission criteria for over

95% of colleges• Extensive 3-day exams (June 7-9)• Provinces have autonomy on test contents• Admission rate: national (72%), urban (80-90%),

rural (30-40%)

National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao)

Pros and Cons

Emphasis on Math, Science, and English throughout PreK-12

• Mathematics (begins at age 3; by age 5 students are doing what American students learn in 2nd grade)

• English (begins by age 5 or 6 in many urban schools, becomes mandatory at 3rd grade)

• Elementary teachers are specialized in subjects (Chinese, math, English, etc.)

• At grade 10 or 11, students choose concentrations: sciences or humanities

Education Values

• Scholarship and academic achievement are highly valued in Chinese culture

• Education for personal cultivation, career advancement, family glory, and serving the country

• Every child can learn and it all depends on individual efforts

• Teachers enjoy relatively high social status• Teacher authority in classroom• Good teachers are not born, but trained.

“Chinese Idol” 2005

China Youth Culture

Online Videos:

China Daily: Post-80s Generation

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/video/2010-12/23/content_11820151.htm

PBS Frontline: Young and Restless in Chinahttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/youngchina/

Resources

Thank you!

Questions?

Kongli LiuAssistant Director, U.S.-China Institute

Bryant University, Smithfield, RIkliu1@bryant.edu