In the spirit of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Bringing up Bébé， and The Smartest Kids in the World, Lenora Chu explores a hard-hitting topic – China’s education system. Widely acclaimed but often seen as insular, this system is held up as a model of academic and behavioral excellence. However, it raises important questions for the future of American parenting and education, particularly when Chinese students top international rankings.
When students in Shanghai rose to the top of international rankings in 2009, Americans feared that they were being "out-educated" by the rising superpower. As an American journalist of Chinese descent raising a young family in Shanghai, Lenora Chu noticed how well-behaved Chinese children were compared to her boisterous toddler. She delved deeper into the question of how the Chinese create their academic super-achievers – and whether her own little boy could benefit from attending a Chinese school.
hu and her husband were faced with a challenging decision: enroll their three-year-old son, Rainer, in China's state-run public school system. Despite some initial concerns, they quickly discovered that Rainer was thriving in his new environment. His language skills improved rapidly, he made friends easily, and he seemed content in his new educational setting. However, Chu also began to notice some worrying changes in Rainer's behavior.
Determined to uncover the root cause of these changes, she embarked on a journey of exploration. She began by interviewing Chinese parents, teachers, and education professors to gain insights into the unique challenges and benefits of studying in China's state-run schools. She also followed Rainer and other students as they progressed through their education at different stages.
Through this process, Chu discovered that while the state-run school system provided Rainer with an excellent academic foundation, it also placed significant pressure on him to excel in every aspect of his life. This pressure often came from the intense competition among students for admission to top universities and job opportunities. Chu realized that while this pressure could motivate some children, it could also have negative consequences for others, such as Rainer. Determined to find a solution, Chu worked tirelessly to advocate for change within the education system.
hu’s recent research has led her to a startling discovery: China has a military-like education system that is driven by high-stakes testing, teacher rankings posted publicly, students rewarded with bribes for compliance and shame used to isolate those who do not comply. Despite the heavy academic workload imposed on students, the underlying motivation behind this educational system is to alleviate the burden of academic pressure on students and make education friendlier for all. However, as Chu continues to learn more about this system, she begins to wonder if Chinese children – including her own son – are paying too high a price for their obedience and dedication to future academic success.
The question that Chu grapples with is whether there is a way to take advantage of the excellence of this system while also addressing its flaws. Furthermore, she wonders if there are any lessons we can learn from China’s educational journey that could be applied in the Western world.
Chu’s eye-opening investigation challenges our assumptions about education and forces us to consider its true value and purpose. As we continue to explore the nuances of different educational systems, it becomes increasingly clear that each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, making it crucial to strike a balance between the two. By understanding the intricacies of different educational systems, we can better equip ourselves to create an educational environment that fosters both academic excellence and personal growth. Ultimately, Chu’s research highlights the importance of critically examining our educational beliefs and practices to ensure they serve the best interests of both students and society as a whole.
