Why the push for accelerated math?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:In many developing Asian countries, public high schools just can’t afford to track students by ability, especially when classes often have teacher to student ratio of 1:40 to 60. Everyone has to go through the same math class, with no option to choose different levels, like gened or honors dont exist. The curriculum is the same for all, and it usually includes advanced topics like calculus and statistics. Unlike the U.S., where public schools have billions of dollars in budget and can support differentiated learning, most asian countries just don’t have the financial resources. Whether a student is struggling or excelling doesnt matter, they’re all taught the same material, which is equivalent to slightly more than honors level in US. A lot of students there graduate with just a C or D in math, but a good number still manage to get an A—which, in many cases, means scoring 70% or higher.

It’s not about total cost it’s about percent of GDP allocated to education to correct for purchasing power.

In any case, the issue is the educational system is more centralized in Asian countries while in US it is more flexible, which I think is better for most students.

And yet these other countries seem to outperform the US on measures of academic progress.

In some rankings like Pisa that nobody cares about. When it comes to universities nobody wants to go to Asian institutions.

Wait, you think students want to come the the USA because our public education system is so frakking good? They're here because american diplomas lead to american jobs. That's why they come here.
They are not coming here to surround themselves with the products of american public education.
Also about 10-15% of the student body at the top schools in asia are foreign students.

It’s not like the public education in China, Japan or Korea is amazing. In fact I’d much prefer the US (public) system instead. At least there no cram schools until midnight, widespread mental health issues, and tremendous financial burden on families from education expenses.

Too 10-20% kids in US are better prepared, with more advanced coursework, and more rigorous classes. Since we’re on the topic of math, It’s unheard of anyone in those countries to take Multivariable, linear algebra differential equations in high school.

In the end the Asian kids going to US colleges are surrounded by “products” of American education, and let me tell you this, the Asian kids are not better. Too much reliance in rote memorization, terrible work ethic, widespread cheating, poor social skills. Not everyone is like that, but it’s a consistent pattern.

The stereotype of Asians cheating is just copium. Its how parents deal with the mediocrity of the kids they've raised. Asian students (on average) are just better. They're not born that way, they become that way. You never hear the parent of the smart white kids talk about this.

i understand you want to see smiling laughing children but for their sake might want to focus on their adult life more. Stop pissing away your children's futures for a few more years of carefree childhood. Think about your grandchildren and what resources will be available to them if you let your kids float through childhood.

You can have both. DS is ahead in math, he will be taking Geometry in 8th grade. He did not want to take Geometry in the summer, something that we fully supported, and has been having a great summer backpacking, camping, and hanging at the pool. He is still strong in math and doing well in all of his classes but he is smiling and laughing. He is learning how to balance working hard and enjoying yourself.

During the school year, he takes supplemental math classes because he wants to. He also plays a sport and is active in Scouts. He has plans to have one day a week where he doesn't have a club or activity, so he has one light day during the week. All humans, kids or adults, need to have activities that they enjoy and look forward to doing after they finish their work for the day. People burn out and have mental health crisis when they don't have a release valve. Balancing a kid's schedule helps them learn how to balance their life.

One light day during the week and you think you're kid is having a carefree childhood?

You think he enjoys Scouts or it is just the best activity that fits into his schedule?

Is your son's sport a team club sport or is it more of an individual sport like tennis or golf or fencing?

He has dropped many activities that he tried and didn’t like and several that he did for a few years and decided he was done with. He chose to participate in a backpacking trip with his Troop and the prep trips before the summer trip. He helped to plan it, so yes, he loves Scouts. He loves the outdoor activities and the camping. His sport is a rec sport, he is on a team with seven of his friends.

He sets his schedule. He doesn’t have to do after school clubs, he chooses to. He is home by 4:30 and has the rest of the night to hang out at home. He has a good group of friends he likes hanging out with. We check in and ask him what he wants to do before signing him up for things.

And he is ahead in math and loves doing math competitions. You can be strong academically and pursue those interests while doing other things.