A new World Bank report released today titled 'How Shanghai Does It' attributes students in Shanghai consistently performing well on international tests of student learning to a strong education system. This week, policymakers from over 25 developing countries have come to Shanghai to take notes on how this education system is implemented so successfully.
Said education system is backed by four primary factors:
The Teachers
Teachers are reported to receive reasonable and stable salaries, with numerous opportunities for promotion and rewards. Before they are hired, they must complete intensive training courses and are encouraged to mentor and observe other teachers. On top of that, they are are consistently evaluated and their professional development is viewed as a continuous, never-ending process.
Skill Assessment
Learning standards and guidelines are consistently evaluated, and student learning comprehension is calculated by several assessments, including Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests in reading, mathematics and science. Of which Shanghai has received top marks on the last two consecutive rounds...
Transparency and Accountability
Good performance is rewarded, it's as simple as that. But not-so-good performance doesn't get neglected, either. Low-performing school districts receive extra financial assistance from the city government, and high-performing schools are required to help them out by providing management and professional support.
Let's Not Forget the Kids:
All children are deserving of an education in Shanghai, and treated as such. According to the report, in 2013, 50 percent of Shanghai's 1.2 million basic education students were the children of migrants; 77 percent were placed in public schools and the rest received financial funding to attend private schools. Students in Shanghai considered 'disadvantaged' consistently score in the top 25 percentile of the PISA.
[Images Via Next Shark and 24 Hour Translation]
