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No matter what the reason is, fact is fact. The fact is average Chinese are better at math than average Americans. Nothing more and nothing less.
There is no empirical evidence which proves that statement. Everything that comes out of China is cherry-picked. Most of the western "hinterland" is still not even close to being developed. Chinese compulsory education is 9 years (13 years in America) of which most do not even finish. 9 years of education is equivalent to junior high school in the US. Most of these students do not even go on to participate in the non compulsory, secondary education (aka, high school) which is compulsory in the US.
What these tests do is take the whole America's best and brightest and dilute them with the whole of those not so adept at STEM subject matter while China only applies those in the more affluent areas. A cross-sectional application of the results based on the entire population of China will show that most Chinese can't even read and write at a middle school level let alone comprehend advanced mathematics. More than half of the population lives in abject poverty. According to the World Bank 72% of the population lives on less than $5 (USD) per day, is stuck in a brutal cycle of poverty and are relegated to menial or agrarian work.
I think both of you are arguing about different things. I think betta was simply trying to say that the strict Chinese education system explains why the average Chinese is better at math than the average American. If the U.S. education system was just as strict, then the average American could be just as smart at math (if not better) as the average Chinese person. Though, I think the education system is just one facet behind this observation. For example, it seems the Asian strong emphasis on education also plays a role.
More like a strong emphasis on math and science alone. Although education as a whole is probably seen as more important and vital to success in China than it is in America, the focus for many students is to excel at math and science. And not because they are just so much more interested in these subjects than anything else, but because they are convinced from early on that these skills are most likely to lead to success in the modern age. I've come across countless Chinese students who were excellent at math, but would much rather study something else if only their parents wouldn't look down on them for it. And because filial piety is so strong in East Asian countries, students will follow the advice and instruction of their parents or society - which is to be good at math and science...and English.
In general, I think American students are a lot more well-rounded despite falling behind in STEM skills. They are definitely more independent and inclined to follow their passions than follow the crowd. Many East Asian students have extremely poor critical thinking skills because their focus isn't to think or be creative, but to do what the teacher says, and do it well. This produces higher scores on tests, but doesn't mean that the education system as is whole is better. To say one or the other is better based on test scores alone is foolish. There are things that can be learned from either side.
If you are really familiar with China, you should know Shanghai students are not the best testers in China.
The best testers are found in Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong etc.
Beijing and Shanghai have some of the best students but on average, they are just so so. One reason is that life in Beijing and Shanghai is easier.
I agree. It is said that the students of these areas study very hard and the college entrance exam scores they need is much higher than average score.
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