I. Naming and shaming doesn't help
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20080504a4.html, May 4th, 2008
II. This article states that Japan is not following an accurate promotion on its students by making them take these new national tests. According to an earlier written article (which spoke of Japan’s new nationwide testing for students) Japan administered these tests to simply strengthen its future generations and build up their internal structure but apparently, these tests seem to be doing much more than that. Some of the greatest school that are in Finland don’t even call for their students to do this and their rate their kids a whole different way. The article is not comparing better ranking strategies but it strongly suggests that Japan is going about theirs all wrong.
III.
A) This article relates to the AP world history theme Cultural, religious, and intellectual developments because it speaks of the so called intellectual “developments” made by Japan which to other cultures, such as our own, see as a negative aspect that impacts their society.
B) The history relating to this article is part of the ancient teachings brought on by Japan about discipline, achievement and above all perseverance. Japan has always been a country to be born and bread way past other nation’s and this is just another example of how they go about doing it.
C) The author of this article is an outsider. He happens to be a man from Los Angeles named Walt Gardner and is therefore a full American who was raised according to American tradition.
D) Since the author is coming from an American mindset, he could never understand what the Japanese have in store for their country. He basis much of his viewpoints on the testing from the American standpoint which unfortunately does not pose as much discipline and determination as does Japan. The author states the lessons taught by Japan is, “out of hand” and that Japan is following, “the wrong strategy.” Japan may possibly be portraying the correct strategies, they just may seem wrong because they’re different; there is no clear or rightful judge.
E) It would be beneficial to hear from a student in Japan who has taken the test already so they could share the possible extremities or stressfully wrong lessons in which the test is accused of displaying. A student might tell if they agree with Japan’s progressive mindset or if they would rather take it at a slower pace to not overextend them self.
F) I disagree with the writer of this article. I believe that as long as the test is thoroughly overlooked and proportioned to the students learning abilities, then Japan should have the non accused right to distribute them. Extreme productivity and progression has been with their culture for centuries and I only believe that this is just another step towards their intellectual expansion. Americans, I believe, should benefit from this example instead of accusing it and we should incorporate some perseverance into our own society.
By Carolena Trocchia
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3 comments:
I agree with carolena on this article Japan shouldnt have to make such difficult test however Japan was always known for its discipline but this is very unfair to the japanese students because these lessons are out of hand.
I agree with both Kaitlyn and Carolena. The Japanese have always been very high in the ranks of intelligence compared to other places. These tests shouldn't be more difficult than students can handle.
I believe that Japan has the right to administer these tests, but they shouldn't be so hard that they are having negative effects on the self esteem of the students in Japan, because the students are not performing well on the tests. But, I also agree with Carolena that other countries, such as the U.S. could learn from the Japanese. At least they are challenging their future leading generations, making them grown in their intellectual advances. All countries including the U.S. need to realize that giving challenging tests can actually be a good thing, and if it can help society grow without having negative effects on children, then these types of tests should be administered.
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