Check out the PISA Study on the OECD website. This is probably the best international achievement examination and its methodology is explained in detail on the website. I see nothing in the form or content of the examination that would disqualify it from serious consideration.

The TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is the most comprehensive examination of science and particularly mathematics education. The notes associated with this examination answer exactly what you claim to have never seen – specifically where the US lags the leading nations in science and mathematics. The researchers even include an analysis of the best practices from each country.

One example is that in US schools, students are taught to solve equations while the top performers CREATE the equations. In algebra, for example, American students may be given an assignment to solve for ‘x’ fifteen times. The students are given little if any reason for why they would ever need to solve for ‘x’. Students in Japan, Finland and Singapore would complete an assignment requiring them to build an equation that would help them know an unknown number. They would do so only after direct instruction of how to use this in a real situation. Very little “drill and kill” takes place. Very little review takes place. They just build equations. Solving the equations is easy.

I was a graduate student in economics before I ever learned WHAT ON EARTH a quadratic equation could be used for. I memorized the thing and could solve equations well but had absolutely no idea why.

As a teacher I asked an exchange student from Japan if he had ever learned the use of a quadratic equation. He spent the next ten minutes in broken English explain in detail all the possible uses and how and why one would choose to use it.

My name is Jahongir. I am from Uzbekistan, Siyrdarya Region, Gulistan. I am 15 years old and my education is secondary education(среднее образование). I study at the academic lyceum in our town. I want to study some lyceum/college at aboard.
Give me some information about study at the aboard. I ready to exam. I wrote some article about salt lands, water, RRC. I work at Regional Research Center(RRC) in Gulistan. There are biotechnolgy, labaratories, GENBANK in RRC organization. If you interested to RRC, I may send much information about organization and my articles. I you have any grants to our old, please, send me some information to E-mail.

KUSHIEV JAHONGIR

While I too question the results of the several international educational comparison tests I have seen differences in the outcomes of each of these systems. My observations are purely ancedotal but I believe the general population of Japan does in fact seem to be more educated than their US or European counterparts. News programs, print media and the like are significantly more sophisticated and detailed. It seemed to me that virtually everyone I met was able to converse on a wide range of topics. The culture of Japan places high value on education. Teachers are very well regarded and the ‘cool’ students are frequently those who are the top academic performers.

In Germany and throughout most of Europe I did not find any significant differences with the US. Germans who attended a university prepratory school (Gymnasium) are generally well educated but beyond that I was underwhelmed by the product of their education system. By the time I lived in Germany I had changed careers and was working for a financial institution. Many of my German colleagues, even university graduates, lacked what I considered basic skills in mathematics.

Take my comments for what they are: simply opinions.

For the record, I moved back to Colorado because I prefer my 8-year-old son attend school here rather than in Germany.