Equality in Education in Japan - Roshonda L. Elder

I read an article this evening about the quality of education in Japan. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported that rich and poor students receive equal educational opportunities in Japan. Students who were affected by Fukushima receive grants to cover lunch, uniforms, and school supplies. Those interviewed speak of the importance of receiving a quality education regardless of socioeconomic status. 

In just reading that portion of the article I thought about America's schools and how we all know that this is not usually the case. The article went on to discuss schools in New Orleans who were also affected by natural disaster (Hurricane Katrina), and that instead of increasing funds to those schools the government disinvested. Teachers were placed on leave or dismissed, and the area now has mostly charter schools. 

Teachers in Japan are assigned to schools and remain for three years before being reassigned. Teacher salaries are paid by the national and prefectural government, so they do not vary. Building funding also does not vary across areas. Do you believe that directing more funding and better teachers to struggling schools is the answer for America's schools? I tend to think that the mindset of the educators that all students will succeed is the pivotal first step in making a change. 

Comments

  1. Kyle MillerAugust 2, 2017 at 8:08 PM

    This is great information. I feel like our country has such blinding nationalism and patriotism that policy-makers can't even look at successful models in other countries without excusing them simply because the American system just has to be the best. But fresh eyes in the field (like Bright Fellows) will turn the tide.

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