The cultural aspirations, attitudes and behaviour of both parents and children play an important part in academic attainment. Research has shown, the more parents are engaged in the education of their children, the more likely their children are to succeed in the education system (Harris, 2007). School improvement and school effectiveness research consistently shows that parental engagement is one of the key factors in securing higher student achievement (Goodal et al, 2010). This article will examine the effect of parental aspirations on education in both China and England.
It is argued parents in China have greater educational expectations for their children than do parents in the England (Jin et al, 2014). Researchers have attributed the high academic achievement of students in China to their parents' high expectations and willing-ness to put in time and effort for their children's education (Schneider & Lee, 1990; Stevenson & Lee, 1990). Chinese parents place more emphasis on effort and English parents have a more fatalistic approach and place more emphasis on ability and IQ. Chinese parents often view their child’s difficulty with the educational material as directly related to a lack of effort by their child. In contrast, English parents are more likely to rationalise their children’s difficulty as a deficiency in the ability of the child, the teacher, or even the school (Li, 2003).
Issues surrounding parental aspirations in England appear to be more closely related to social class; the gap between rich and poor children is already large at the age of three, but continues to widen in the primary and early secondary years. One of the biggest distinctions between poorer and richer families is the extent to which parents aspire towards higher education, and how much they believe their own actions can make a really big difference in the lives of their children (Goodman, 2010). A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2010) found that only 37 per cent of the poorest mothers hoped their nine-year-old would go to university compared with 81 per cent of the richest mothers. However, in China education has been highly valued since classical time, regardless of economic or social position.
Parents in China play a strong role in their children's education through encouraging high aspirations and promoting academic achievement (Kao, 1995; Zhou, 2000). Traditional Chinese philosophy emphasises education above other values. This cultural value on learning continues to be important in Chinese society today; a high standard of education is associated with higher social status and the vast majority of parents have high expectations for the educational achievements of their children. This, together with the introduction of the one child policy, leads to parents making great sacrifices in order to ensure that their children receives the best possible education. Parents and entire families place their hopes in the educational success of their single offspring (Deodhar, 2012). However this pressure to do well can have a negative effect on young peoples mental health and increasingly England too.
Although it is clear to see there is a distinct correlation between parental aspirations and academic attainment in both England and China, in England there is a much larger gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. This difference is not seen in China possibly due to the suggestion of there being no social class.
By Zoe Westgarth
England and China class sizes compared
In this article I will make comparisons between the impact of smaller class sizes on student achievement in England and China.
Smaller classes are favoured by parents and teachers. England and China are recognised as having large classroom sizes. The issue with small class sizes is that money spent on smaller classes can not be spent on better teacher salaries, and better opportunities for the professional development of teachers.
According to the The annual report on education in richer nations by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development the average class size twenty-one. However the average class size in the UK state sector is twenty-six which is marginally higher than the average. The cause of the increase in classroom sizes are due to pressure being placed on schools by rising birth rates and the effects of immigration, and experts have claimed that large classes can reduce the quality of children's education.
China similarly have large classroom sizes with an average of thirty-eight pupils. However in China class size depends on the region. In a national minority area the average class size is twenty-four, but in towns forty it is forty. Cultural factors also affect the classroom sizes throughout the year, as in some rural areas teachers and pupils are permitted to help family agricultural work for planting or harvesting, so there are seasonal variations in class sizes.
The quality of additional teachers that are brought into schools can determine whether or not having a large class size will be an issue. Chinese teachers are known to be well trained, and highly qualified and therefore see little correlation between class size and learning outcomes. Benbow, Mizrachi, Oliver & Said-Moshiro (2007) described that large class size is an inevitable feature of the developing countries.
Evidence suggests that class sizes do in fact contribute to the quality of learning in England, as one can not separate out teacher quality from the social context. Larger classes in most regions of the UK would have a negative effect because of student behaviour, which is not a problem they face in the high-performing countries like China. Achievement and working conditions are also negative effects of having large classes in England, and so it is evident that smaller classes produce higher achievement levels. (OECD 2014). The predicament however is that smaller class sizes mean that it is necessary to bring in more teachers to raise more classes which is costly.
To conclude research indicates that increasing class sizes have a detrimental effect on student behaviour and in hindsight, reduce the opportunities for schools to provide the level and quality of teaching that is needed to enhance student learning and achievement. Cramped conditions may adversely affect children’s behavior and academic performance (Maxwell 2003; Evans, Saegert and Harris 2001). Research evidence suggests that reduced class size in the early years of primary education is positively associated with higher academic attainment and a better attendance record (Finn et al. 2001). However smaller class sizes are costly as highly trained teachers are required. As previously mentioned it is inevitable to have larger class sizes in China as it is a developing country. However teacher quality in China is at a high level, and therefore class size may not be as detrimental towards students many believe them to be.
Jadene Richards
Comparisons of Education in China and England
Differences between chinese and British education systems
The video focuses on two elementary schools in China. One of which follows the chinese curriculum system the other is The British school of Beijing, which has the same curriculum as British schools. The video shows children in these schools sitting on the floor during class. In a casual type setting, and the head-teacher of the school mentions that British schools encourage child-base learning. Whereas China is teacher based. He explains that their seating arrangements exist in order to create the feeling of community, as when students are sitting closely together makes them aware that they are all on a learning journey together. Asan individual who has acquired experience from working in pre-school in England I can support this viewpoint. Most children feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts and viewpoints when they are surrounded by their peers. They also work well together as part of a group as they feel less pressured to produce a correct answer, rather every child’s answers however different they may be are respected and valued equally.
The video also mentions accommodating each child’s learning style which does not happen in China. Pupils in China are rather treated and regarded as the same, in that they are not provided with equipment which supports different methods of learning. For example in primary school in England if a visual learner is having difficulty with counting or multiplication, building blocks will be available for them to use to help them understand and grasp the activity better. They are given the opportunity to learn in the best way for them. This contrasts with China whereby textbooks are heavily used in each subject for every child irrespective of their learning style. On the other hand a Chinese elementary teacher in the video points out that the method used in Chinese elementary classrooms is best suited for their environment, as classes are larger and pupils need to obtain a lot of information at once. Contrary to this under the state of freedom, which is promoted in British schools , the intelligence of the children can be further heightened.
China pays much attention to preparing children for the ever-changing society. They believe that diversified curriculums should be provided, which are constantly progressing and changing. Schools are able to decide the exact curriculum of their school themselves. Primary education in England however sticks to a fixed curriculum whereby their main focus is on the pupils progress. Therefore they have different systems in place such as pupil of the week so that children who are progressing in that particular subject can be acknowledged in front of their school, which encourages them to keep up with the hard work. It means that even students who are not at the top of the class can be rewarded, as the focus in primary school is mainly on progress rather than achievement. If China introduced such a reward system this could help their students also to be more confident and add extra incentive to learning.
To conclude the video makes clear that chinese students prefer the English education system and mentions that they would be happier with their education if elements of this system would be implemented into theirs. As China is producing better results it therefore seems that more pressure and less appraisal is actually beneficial for the achievements of students if grades were the only important factor. However in order to create an environment whereby children are happy and have positive attitudes to learning free environments whereby pupils are rewarded for their efforts and progress are the way in which to achieve this. Both countries therefore achieve their individual educational goals but could benefit from using different elements of each others.
By Jadene Richards