>>So the tests reveals that our form of public edcational system is lacking and inefficient. Which is my point. If what you say is true, why is it that their kids are able to handle complex subjects much earlier then our kids? Is it the system or is it the kids.
>
>No, they don't reveal that. If we tested the kids after they've all had exposure to the same material, and US kids did worse, it would be meaningful. Right now, it's meaningless.
>
>The different education systems make different choices about how to introduce material. For that matter, in the US, different schools/school districts make different choices and make different choices at different times.
>
>For example, the high school I went to offered most students no science in 9th grade, Bio in 10th, Chem in 11th and Physics in 12th. My kids went to a high school that (as I said somewhere earlier in this thread) offered (actually, required, I think) Physical Science in 9th grade and then the same sequence I had. The Physical Science course covered much of the basic Physics, so even though my kids and I both had Physics as High School seniors, my kids' course went much deeper.
>
>The US tends to use a sequential approach--teach one subject in a grade and take the various subjects in sequence.
>
>Other countries tend to use a spiral approach--teach a little of each subject in each grade and keep coming back.
>
>I haven't seen any research on which approach works better.


Well isn't a test a pretty good indicator of which system is better?
Regardless, American kids, in general, are being out done by kids from other countries.

If they (the kids from other countries) can learn more complex subjects sooner, I would think our's should be able to also. It'll probably keep more kids out of trouble as well.

Now, I've heard kids in Korea and Japan are way too stressed out with school work and demanding parents. And I'm not advocating that for any kids. But I do think that kids here have way too much free time to do whatever, like watching too much TV and getting in trouble. And yes, I think too much TV and kids with "problems" are some how related... that and passive parenting.


>
>
>Tamar