QUOTE(palango @ Feb 8 2008, 03:17 PM)
My MAJOR assumption is that the educational system in Korea, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, etc. is so much better while the kids are actually AT school (more qualifies teachers, better curriculim, better pay), that by the time the kids come home, they either don't need homework or have less.
I read a story a few years back that ranked California towards THE BOTTOM in the ENTIRE US when it comes to education. It was so hard to believe that the 8th largest economy in the world would have such a poor track record. Funding mechnisms, in ADDITION to the Regular taxes, Lotterey funds, Casino shares, Propositions, school bonds, and Melloo Roos have doen very little to rank CA on the top.
I have no idea what the solution is, but I KNOW that India, Sweden, Japan are doing something right.
Well, the article also says that singapore gives an average of 5 hours of homework in Just math every week. However, they also go on to say that Singapores math grades/ratio has been dropping.
Apparently all work and no play for too many years and those students are falling apart. Just like in Japan.
In South Korea--I've seen a bit of their education system---They do not report those with poor grades--most females and those in private schools. That is about 1/2 the country. They are the most corrupt country I've ever seen.
Pretty much the same thing in India--from what I've heard--though I've never been there.
uhhh---where was I--oh, right we were trying to compare the state school levels across the board and yet the Americans are just about the only ones who actually grade all their students regardless of race, gender, religion.......