United States vs. Japan in Math and Science

Over the years, tests have determined that the United States has not improved in math and science compared to Japan. Both countries have a different approach towards school. This might be the reason why American students are doing so poorly in math and science. American education should be compared to Japanese so that both can learn from each other because even though American scores are down they still have great ways to educate students. Differences that they have are ability vs. effect, teaching techniques, and parenting.

In Japanese education, prime factors of their success are viewed as effort instead of ability. In his article, “Strengths, Weaknesses, and Lessons of Japanese Education,” James Fallows says, “The Japanese school system acts as though intellectual ability does not matter, assuming that just about everyone has enough ability to succeed”(208). In other words, they must give it there all. Japan does not accept 90% because they aim for 100%. If Japanese students receive a grade of 90%, then they’ll study even harder to be ready for the next test. It’s great that these students put so much effort in their school, but with all their studying, they don’t have anytime to have fun. The down fall is that all their childhood memories are going to be devoted to school and not them having fun.

In the United States, education is viewed more towards ability rather than effort. Compared to Japan’s education, all students are taught the same subject at the same pace. In America, students are placed in classes by their individual levels where some will continue on as other will have to take the whole year over. Also, parents too believe that ability takes role in the learning in their children’s education. It is like parents...

... middle of paper ...

...re continuing school knowing that its possible for the answer to be no. There’s not much pressure from parents in the United States for children’s education.

Ultimately, in Japanese and in America, education has several gaps that can be fixed by looking at each others weaknesses and strengths. The horrific thing about the Japanese education is that they stress school too much that a thought of having fun is out the window. What United States education can learn from Japan is that students need to be pushed for effort in order for them to succeed. Group work should be involved more in American education since Japan is succeeding from it. The last thing that American’s should adapt from Japanese education is parent involvement. With the help of parents, students are more likely to succeed because they’ll have that extra help and push to achieving their school goals.