Full Description
In this provocative volume, Chester E. Finn, Jr., and Brandon L. Wright argue that, for decades, the United States has done too little to focus on educating students to achieve at high levels. The authors identify two core problems: First, compared to other countries, the United States does not produce enough high achievers. Second, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are severely underrepresented among those high achievers. The authors describe educating students to high levels of achievement as an issue of both equity and human capital: talented students deserve appropriate resources and attention, and the nation needs to develop these students' abilities to remain competitive in the international arena.
The authors embark on a study of twelve countries and regions to address these issues, exploring the structures and practices that enable some countries to produce a higher proportion of high-achieving students than the United States and to more equitably represent disadvantaged students amongtheir top scorers. Based on this research, the authors present a series of ambitious but pragmatic points that they believe should inform US policy in this area.
This candid and engaging book takes a topic that is largely discussed behind closed doors and puts it squarely on the table for public debate.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I
The Challenge of EducatingHigh-Ability Children
Educating Smart Kids: Why Bother?
How Is the United States Doing?
How Disagreement Holds Us Back
How the System Slows Us Down
Will Differentiation Move Us Forward?
PART II
Beyond Our Borders
How Do Other Countries Educate Smart Kids?
Japan: Early Neglect, Later Intensity
Singapore: Enough of a Good Thing?
Korea: Too Much Pressure?
Taiwan: Do as We Say, Not as We Do
Finland: Not Quite as Advertised
Germany: Differentiating Without Differences
Hungary: Much Talk, Less Action
Switzerland: Decentralized to Excess?
England: Sifting Through the Policy Rubble
Ontario: How "Special" Is "Gifted"?
Western Australia: In for the Long Haul
PART III
Toward the Future
What Have We Learned?
Moves America Should Make
Afterword
Appendix
Notes
About the Authors
Index
