Japanese Mathematics Education: What Makes It Work?

Reys, Barbara J., Reys, Robert E., Teaching Children Mathematics

Japan's stature as an economic and political power worldwide has caused growing interest in the country's culture and, more specifically, its system of educating its youth. International comparisons of mathematics achievement highlight Japanese students' unquestioned superiority in mathematical performance. Factors that contribute to the relatively high performance include the nature of Japanese schools, the professional stature of teachers, the homogeneity of the school population, the high parental expectations for the educational success of their children, the abundance of jukus (special cram schools), and heavy reliance on entrance and qualifying examinations. These factors together produce a unique educational setting. Japanese schools have been characterized elsewhere (Stigler, Lee, and Stevenson 1990; Stevenson 1991). Our discussion in this article is not to judge relative strengths or weaknesses of Japanese education …

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Publication information: Article title: Japanese Mathematics Education: What Makes It Work?. Contributors: Reys, Barbara J. - Author, Reys, Robert E. - Author. Magazine title: Teaching Children Mathematics. Volume: 1. Issue: 8 Publication date: April 1995. Page number: 474+. © 1999 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc. COPYRIGHT 1995 Gale Group.

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