Submitted By: Eric Cole

I found this article earlier in the quarter on BBC News website that addressed a perceived disparity in the mathematical abilities of British students versus those of Chinese students. Math Test Article. The English test is given to first year university students while the Chinese test is the pre-entry test for university, similar to our SAT’s. The problem on the English test pales in comparison to that on the Chinese test, and the test questions on our SAT math are just as easy if not easier than the English ones. I see this as a clear sign of our rapidly eroding technological superiority over China, one that we are doomed to lose. If these test questions are indicative of the skill levels of our future scientists and engineers, then China is on the verge of an incredible breakthrough. Too much cannot be read into these questions alone without knowing the difficulty of the rest of the questions and how successful the students were at answering them. However, if we don’t address the complacency that exists as to our role as the only current superpower, China might soon surpass us .

Professor Carr Addendum: Good post. You all need to explore this issue closely over dinner with Lonnie Hodge of OMB when we see him in Guangzhou. Also see and read this very good and related LA Times article [registration is free], China, U.S. Teach Each Other Some Lessons About Education.  This article is also a must read.  I was struck by how we are now turning to the Chinese to learn about how we can more effectively teach US students math and science.