tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post5474698557666254294..comments2024-03-24T11:39:28.574-04:00Comments on NYC Public School Parents: Be Like Shanghai? (Sorry, Mike)Patrick Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631038958645725010noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-3312067695060701862011-01-06T00:18:41.388-05:002011-01-06T00:18:41.388-05:00Many thanks, Elaine, for taking the time to write ...Many thanks, Elaine, for taking the time to write the response I simply didn't want to bother with for such an inane comment from "Anonymous." You wrote pretty much what I would have written, that although there are indeed some 55 or 56 recognized minority groups in China, they are ETHNIC minorities, not RACIAL ones. In addition, over 90% of Chinese are from a single ethnic group, the Han, and several percent more are from the highly assimilated Zhuang and Manchu groups. Most of the remaining ethnic minorities are highly geographically concentrated: the Mongols in Mongolia, the Uyghirs in Xinjiang, the Tibetans in Tibet, and many of the rest in Yunnan Province, in the southwest. <br /><br />In addition, as you so rightly point out, the schools themselves are highly ethnically segregated, partly because of where people live and partly because if they relocate, the hukou system keeps their children from being admitted to the schools in the cities where the families have relocated. Thus, as you have very accurately stated, Chinese schools are indeed highly racially and ethnically homogeneous, as I first wrote in my blog posting. Mr./Ms. Anonymous clearly has little or no idea what most Chinese schools are like. <br /><br />Thanks again for your supportive comments which reinforce my stated observations.Steve Kosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837868893003246039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-58899330956328338292011-01-05T20:18:13.360-05:002011-01-05T20:18:13.360-05:00--"Chinese schools are universally homogeneou...--"Chinese schools are universally homogeneous, devoid of interracial conflicts or multicultural issues."<br /><br />Absolutely false. China has *many* national minorities & linguistic divisions.<br /><br />If the person who said this worked in China he didn't learn much about the place.--<br /><br />One snide comment deserves another: You've obviously never actually looked at the schooling system in China. Yes, there are many minorities, but they are more or less nonexistent in the schooling systems of Shanghai thanks to strict "hukou" regulations - basically visas preventing people from one region of China from getting benefits in another region of China. There has been much debate about the hukou v. the education system here, since migrant workers (people coming in from other provinces to find jobs in the city) can't get their children into regular Shanghai schools. What results is a mass segregation of Shanghai Han v. anybody else. Classrooms here ARE homogeneous. And since getting into high school requires testing, by age 15, they're not just homogeneous in culture and race, but also homogeneous in terms of how much time and money parents had to spend on after school tutoring sessions. <br /><br />I've helped several charities specifically trying to fund better education programs for those pushed to the sidelines of China's educational system. That's where you'll find your minorities. While there are supposedly equal opportunity programs in place, I'll believe they're actually working when I see one minority in an actually important position in the Politburo.Elainehttp://www.shanghaiist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-59623680297810869172011-01-05T11:02:01.081-05:002011-01-05T11:02:01.081-05:00As a former English teacher in China (different ci...As a former English teacher in China (different city), I have to agree with everything written, but I would add something, my students didn't like my tests. Unlike their regular classroom teachers, I wouldn't give them the answers to the tests before they took them; students told me, as well as my Chinese wife, that they were given answers for their tests the day before and they were expected to answer each question with the exact wording they were given the day before, verbatim. <br /><br />Additionally, I was in 4 different middle schools and each one had at least one security guard (in a city about 1/3 the size of Shanghai).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-39585538178195316322011-01-04T13:50:04.565-05:002011-01-04T13:50:04.565-05:00In 2008-2009 major legal changes occurred in China...In 2008-2009 major legal changes occurred in China; these included new patent law.<br /><br />Without reading a detailed discussion of what those changes entailed, I'd take these above claims with a hefty pinch of salt.<br /><br />Incidentally, China also regularized the alienation of land. So when you read breathless press on Chinese 'growth rates' keep in mind since 2009 land can now be bought and sold. <br /><br />Valuing something in money that previously had no value can increase growth quite a bit! No wonder folks here want to trade tulip bulbs, sorry, I mean carbon futures!<br /><br />This kind of thinking is not so dissimilar to 'adjusting' passing test scores, is it? <br /><br />WorldCom, ENRON, Lehman's Repo 105, NYSED...<br /><br />Dodgy accounting is the zeitgeist!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-3502126922017289392011-01-03T09:43:20.847-05:002011-01-03T09:43:20.847-05:00It was reported on NYTimes yesterday that China fi...It was reported on NYTimes yesterday that China filed around same numbers of patents as US. China cranks out 250,000 engineers every year twice as many as US, and awards more PhDs than US. China must have done something right. We all know that we can not outmanufacture Chinese, if we have trouble outeducating them, what left.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-64369753479907811292011-01-03T08:42:17.144-05:002011-01-03T08:42:17.144-05:00This sounds like the Catholic school I attend in 1...This sounds like the Catholic school I attend in 1952. Yes, we did well on tests. I would even venture to say that we learned something. Whether this sort of rigid education worked well for us in the real world is another issue. <br />Let's get real here. We know what works. The greatest recent gains in education were made before the 'great reformers' like Joel Klein and Michele Rhee came on the scene. These were based on standards based learning and the "most effective schools' research: high expectations, clear achievable standards, well trained teachers, small class sizes and close supervision. Having worked in education for nearly forty years, I can attest to all the 'reform' I've seen and implemented, and standards-based learning had the very best results with real research to back it up.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08548032502362433499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-74304823246647768252011-01-03T02:09:36.756-05:002011-01-03T02:09:36.756-05:00"Chinese schools are universally homogeneous,..."Chinese schools are universally homogeneous, devoid of interracial conflicts or multicultural issues."<br /><br />Absolutely false. China has *many* national minorities & linguistic divisions.<br /><br />If the person who said this worked in China he didn't learn much about the place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-71652029564606641402011-01-02T23:06:43.684-05:002011-01-02T23:06:43.684-05:00To Anonymous:
There's simply no comparison be...To Anonymous:<br /><br />There's simply no comparison between China's schools and those in urban America. I found your comments regarding school security very surprising for someone who claims to have taught in China. The reasons are many; here are a few.<br /><br />1. Chinese schools are universally homogeneous, devoid of interracial conflicts or multicultural issues.<br />2. Many of the students who would otherwise be behavior problems in high school never enter high school. They either drop out after middle school or cannot get accepted into high school based on their standardized exam scores.<br />3. Students who enter high school and develop discipline issues are effectively (and simply) kicked out of school. <br />4. Discipline in Chinese schools is heavily culturally imposed due to such factors as Confucian filial piety, family "face," the one child policy, pressure created by the family's perception of that one child as their retirement security, etc. <br />5. While it's certainly regrettable to see extensive School Safety forces and metal detectors in our schools, China has recently found it necessary to increase school security due to knife and axe attacks by adults against elementary school children. <br /><br />It's also worth noting that teen/student suicides in China are a major domestic problem, and that few if any such suicides ever received ANY form of counseling or assistance because such services are virtually nonexistent.<br /><br />Every country and culture has its own unique issues.Steve Kosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837868893003246039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-26914002045979581222011-01-02T22:42:43.191-05:002011-01-02T22:42:43.191-05:00This post, from its first paragraph on downward, c...This post, from its first paragraph on downward, comes off as condescending and bitter. Arne Duncan, Friedman and Kristof each have merits to their arguments and you should've considered them. Rather than having a thoughtful and balanced article on the differences (and advantages/disadvantages) of American education versus the Chinese (specifically Shanghai) System, you went for the cheap shot, "I'm right, these guys don't have a clue" argument. Forget about the fact that both Friedman and Kristof have been to Chinese schools (and perhaps Duncan I don't know) and may know what they're talking about. <br /><br />Its not that I disagree with your thoughts but the way you present yourself hardly contributes positively to our current problems.A Real hard Casehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05416396804238551318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-60473803211538034432011-01-02T20:07:25.334-05:002011-01-02T20:07:25.334-05:00Hey! easy guys, just a different opinion and some ...Hey! easy guys, just a different opinion and some indefensible facts.<br /><br />As someone who once lived in Bronxville and currently live in a NJ town with 1200 average SAT scores, do I know there are quite a few wonderful schools here? Regardless what oranges or apples you are talking about, students' motivation and discipline are major issues in many schools, and they are the foundation for any solid learning.<br /><br />If all you want to see are colorful bubbles, there are still a few left. bubbles have been popping everywhere you see. With the mentality of yours, things will get worse before they become better. There is nothing I can do even I hate to see more pain inflicted upon anyoneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-7919407335230803002011-01-02T18:43:56.811-05:002011-01-02T18:43:56.811-05:00Dear Mr Hiding Behind Anonymity-
You did not ment...Dear Mr Hiding Behind Anonymity-<br /><br />You did not mention NYC schools as having a "security force," you said, "American Schools." Therefore, I mentioned schools without security forces. But what we have here in NYC, are not security forces, but rather what is known as School Safety.<br /><br />As far as you having taught in a rural school 100 miles from Shanghai allow me to say, "isn't that nice." Comparing the school system there to the school system here is like comparing apples to oranges. Our cultures are completely the opposite. For instance here in the Unites States we are allowed to have more than one child. Why not discuss how in China there is no such thing as a sibling rivalry, while here in the US most families have to deal with it. Again, apples to oranges. <br /><br />I have not knocked China, I only pointed out some differences between the US and China.Pete Zuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16708676684946013529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-26773059884151357472011-01-02T17:24:30.620-05:002011-01-02T17:24:30.620-05:00Anonymous: We do not have security officers in my ...Anonymous: We do not have security officers in my high school or any of our schools in the District I teach in--of course I live in NW Colorado; we still have parents that if I call home will not only work with me but see that their children do behave; on the other hand our test scores are not so great. <br /><br />When our schools become like Shanghai's, I will teach else where; learning IS NOT a test score; even Arnie Duncan is where he is today due to good, even great teachers. I want me students to be able to think, solve problems, not memorize useless information that they can look up as needed.DeVohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07146992424420382329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-16386934899959991392011-01-02T13:57:10.523-05:002011-01-02T13:57:10.523-05:00To A Teacher in the Bronx:
Why did you neglect to...To A Teacher in the Bronx:<br /><br />Why did you neglect to mention any school in your proud home borough the Bronx? Well, this is not the point I tried to make.<br /><br />Having been to about 50 Staten Island schools, not exactly a hotbed of failing schools, I have seen a heavy presence of security forces in many IS and HS schools, and wonder why they are needed in a place of learning while only 27% of the school budget is used to pay for teachers.<br /><br />It is safe to suggest that no much learning occurs to kids while they are fighting or with security officers.<br /><br />Knocking China may make you feel good and forget your own problems for 2 minutes, but you are still forced to get by the day with your disciplinary problems.<br /><br />It is sad that a well intented person like you continues to live in a self created bubble and refuses to see the harsh realities showing at at your doorsteps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-58835166670368790582011-01-02T13:20:33.256-05:002011-01-02T13:20:33.256-05:00Yes, let's mimic China more. China is the role...Yes, let's mimic China more. China is the role model we all need to follow. Like the executive you allowed tainted powdered milk, he was executed.<br /><br />http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8375638.stm<br /><br />By the way, I have never seen a police presence in Bronxville High School, Scarsdale High School, Harrison High School, Edgemont High School, Ardsley high School, Horace Greely High School, Byram Hills High School. Shall I go on?Pete Zuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16708676684946013529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-11702622473875189372011-01-02T11:16:40.420-05:002011-01-02T11:16:40.420-05:00Every one of you forgot to mention one thing great...Every one of you forgot to mention one thing great American schools have, but inadequate Chinese schools do not have, scores of security officers!!!<br /><br />I taught in a rural high school about 100 miles from Shanghai, students showed up for self conducted morning reading around 7:30 am, teachers reported around 8 am, the only adult monitored the whole school of 15 hundred students was one assistant principal, walking the hallways and talking to student monitors.<br /><br />No system is perfect, but you can always learn and improve. I will not feel proud to see so many deans, crisis invention teachers, behavioral management paras, security officers, even police in our school system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586988941850907367.post-22690667910315261392011-01-02T10:40:31.084-05:002011-01-02T10:40:31.084-05:00Are test scores the same as learning? Do we measur...Are test scores the same as learning? Do we measure the quality of our schools with (a series of) tests?<br /><br />We need a clear NO to this sort of question, before we look at PISA or Regents or SATs or graduation rates. Only then can we reasonably look at all aspects of our system, in context.<br /><br />Otherwise we will be facing this sort of advocacy-reporting for a long, long time.<br /><br />JonathanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com