How Are K-12 Schools Different In Taiwan (Compared To The U.S.)?
It is important to focus on areas where there are significant differences such as emphasis, structure, tests and competition, and extra-curricular activities. It is no secret that overall, Asian students have the tendency to perform better in class. Without intending to be a racial slur, it is due, in part, to the kind of education they have in their home countries.
Structure
The educational system in Taiwan has a different structure than in the United States. The competition for entry into schools does not start in high school, but rather as early as kindergarten; and the competition can be fierce. The system works in such a way that in order to gain entry into a good university, you must be able to enter a good high school which before you can do so, you must be able to complete elementary in a good school also, and so forth down to kindergarten.
To be able to attend a good school, a student must obtain a good rating on the tests given at the end of each stage. Admission to the next level will partly depend on the results of the test. The quality of the school the applicant came from is also a part of the admissions criteria. This is why good preparatory schools are preferred when the student's ultimate goal is to study in a premier university.
Emphasis on Education
In Taiwan, the parents believe that good education is a very important goal in life. This is shared by the teachers and the schools as they regularly keep the parents abreast on the latest in their child's overall performance in the school. Parents actively intervene in making sure that their children get good grades and would go to great lengths including borrowing money just to see their child through college.
Compared to American school children, Taiwanese kids have less time to spend and enjoy for themselves because of the sheer volume of their school-related workload. Bullying, as well as not giving enough efforts to study, are more harshly dealt with than in America.
Tests and Competition
Assignments, although regularly given and done, are not given as much importance. Test scores are all that matters. Final grades for all subjects are contingent purely on test scores. And because test scores are very important to a student's advancement, competition is fierce. This is even encouraged by the school which regularly posts test scores on the bulletin board for everyone to see. In addition, students with the best scores are recognized. Certificates, and in some cases even money and other incentives, are offered.
The teachers also profit from this practice as the number of good performing student's under one's tutelage will reflect on the mentor's performance. It can therefore be said that a teacher's performance partly depends on how well his or her students perform in the exams. For this reason, teachers stress the importance of getting good test scores to their students even more. The type of competition perhaps is one of the most-cited examples on how are K-12 schools different in Taiwan (Compared to the U.S.).
Extra-curricular Activities
Unlike in America, Chinese students are usually busy with other school-related activities after class. In many cases, admission to a high school will depend on a student's skills or talent. Parents who can afford to send their children to various classes and programs to hone their special skills and talents such as math problem-solving skills, sports, or playing musical instruments.
These extra-curriculars often occupy not only the students' after-school hours but their weekends as well. On top of that, they still have to prepare every night for the following day's classes. This crazy schedule is another example of the major differences.