Preparing Students for Success Without Standardization
New ASCD Book Counters Common Standards Movement
Alexandria, VA (09/29/09)—As the U.S. education system implements more standardization and centralization by following the lead of countries like China, are we on the road to educational dictatorship? In Yong Zhao’s new ASCD book, Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization, he explains that what China wants is what America is all too eager to throw away—an education that respects individual talents, supports divergent thinking, tolerates variation, and encourages creativity.
Zhao, a distinguished professor at Michigan State University, bases his argument on his own experience as a student in China and as a parent of children attending school in the United States. He passionately argues against “glorifying” China’s education system and uses research to emphasize his points. In a chapter entitled “Why China Isn’t a Threat Yet,” he explains that Chinese students may have high scores, but they lack essential skills needed to succeed in life. “Creativity and the risk-taking spirit are also missing from the Chinese workforce,” said Zhao.
To make his case for why America should not proceed with standardization, Zhao explains
- What's right with American education;
- Why much of the criticism of schools in the United States has been misleading and misinformed;
- Why China and other nations in Asia are actually reforming their systems to be more like their American counterparts;
- How globalization and the "death of distance" are affecting jobs and everyday life; and
- How the virtual world is transforming the economic and social landscape in ways far more profound than many people realize.
“We do ourselves—and our students—a disservice if we do not consider all available opinions about education reform,” said Gene R. Carter, ASCD Executive Director. “Not only does Professor Zhao respectfully disagree with the present standardization movement, but he also presents an engaging, well-researched book with a strikingly optimistic tone.”
Zhao calls the current mandate for standards “a misplaced solution,” and suggests instead that schools should be assessed on providing the best educational environment for all students. “More than limiting what is taught and learned, state tests also constrain how teaching and learning are conducted,” said Zhao. “As an alternative of judging the success of schools on student test scores, we should be focusing on input-accountability system measures that hold schools accountable for ensuring that all students have the same high-quality educational opportunities.”
Want to know more? Watch Yong Zhao explain parts of his book at ASCD’s Meet the Authors Web page. Order Catching Up or Leading the Way online or call 1-800-933-2723, then press 1.
Contact Information
- Barbara Michelman, communications director, at 1-703-575-5764 or by e-mail.
- Laura Berry, communications specialist, at 1-703-575-5461 or by e-mail.