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Comparing U.S. and Chinese Public School Systems
USINFO | 2014-01-03 14:34
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
Parental involvement is a critical component to a child's educational experience. If a child's parents value education, then the child is more likely to value school as well. In China, parental involvement is higher than compared to the US. Chinese parents accept the critical role of helping their students to learn concepts if they are lagging behind in school. Chinese parents also make sure that their children complete their homework. Parents in the U.S. typically play a more passive role in the education of their children.
In the U.S.:
Parental involvement in their children's education varies widely from area to area in the U.S. Although many people and studies contend that parents of higher SES are more likely to be involved in their children's education than parents of lower SES, other studies prove this finding to be false [6]. The findings of a study conducted by Ho-Sui-Chu and Willms (1996), challenge this theory through the findings of their study. The findings of their study yield little support that parents of low SES are less involved in their children's schooling than parents of high SES . It is however proven that greater involvement in a child's education can foster more positive attitudes toward school, can improve homework habits, increase academic success and can reduce dropout rates .
Other studies insist that parents of low SES do in fact have less involvement in their children's schooling. In multiple case study method, Lareau (1989) found that the relationship between low SES parents and the school to be characterized by separation . Parents of low SES tend to believe that the education of their children is the responsibility of teachers, as they seek little information about their children's schooling . In addition, activities like reading to children and involvement in their academic experience is less in low SES parents compared to high SES parents. Lastly, any involvement that low SES parents do have is done so by the mother .
In Contrast, parents of high SES feel much more connected to their children's education . For example, these parents feel that teachers and parents are responsible for the education of children, as these parents often reinforce the school curriculum in their own homes . These parents also request and seek services to help their children who are lagging behind in school. Services include meeting with the teacher(s) outside of school, programs offered by the school, and even tutoring outside of school . Lastly, fathers of high SES are more involved in their children's education as they regularly attend school events and take an active role in the education of their children .
In China:
In China, education ethics begins with parents. Mothers in eastern asisan countries for example, will actually attend school in order to take notes for their children when they are ill and unable to attend themselves [12]. In addition, parents are actually expected to attend school to observe their children's work habits .
Parental involvement is a critical component to a child's educational experience. If a child's parents value education, then the child is more likely to value school as well. In China, parental involvement is higher than compared to the US. Chinese parents accept the critical role of helping their students to learn concepts if they are lagging behind in school. Chinese parents also make sure that their children complete their homework. Parents in the U.S. typically play a more passive role in the education of their children.
In the U.S.:
Parental involvement in their children's education varies widely from area to area in the U.S. Although many people and studies contend that parents of higher SES are more likely to be involved in their children's education than parents of lower SES, other studies prove this finding to be false [6]. The findings of a study conducted by Ho-Sui-Chu and Willms (1996), challenge this theory through the findings of their study. The findings of their study yield little support that parents of low SES are less involved in their children's schooling than parents of high SES . It is however proven that greater involvement in a child's education can foster more positive attitudes toward school, can improve homework habits, increase academic success and can reduce dropout rates .
Other studies insist that parents of low SES do in fact have less involvement in their children's schooling. In multiple case study method, Lareau (1989) found that the relationship between low SES parents and the school to be characterized by separation . Parents of low SES tend to believe that the education of their children is the responsibility of teachers, as they seek little information about their children's schooling . In addition, activities like reading to children and involvement in their academic experience is less in low SES parents compared to high SES parents. Lastly, any involvement that low SES parents do have is done so by the mother .
In Contrast, parents of high SES feel much more connected to their children's education . For example, these parents feel that teachers and parents are responsible for the education of children, as these parents often reinforce the school curriculum in their own homes . These parents also request and seek services to help their children who are lagging behind in school. Services include meeting with the teacher(s) outside of school, programs offered by the school, and even tutoring outside of school . Lastly, fathers of high SES are more involved in their children's education as they regularly attend school events and take an active role in the education of their children .
In China:
In China, education ethics begins with parents. Mothers in eastern asisan countries for example, will actually attend school in order to take notes for their children when they are ill and unable to attend themselves [12]. In addition, parents are actually expected to attend school to observe their children's work habits .
