VungTauDon wrote:ChrisFox wrote:But in VN you learn a lot more in high school. American high schools don't teach calculus or physics at all, and very little biology. In fact thanks to religious conservatives, biology is watered down to nothing.
That would be news to my son. He is in the 9th grade and taking pre-calc this year and will be taking both physics and calc next year.
Granted he is in an accelerated program, but these courses are normal 11th and 12th grade courses in his school district.
ChrisFox is partly right. American high schools DO teach Calculus, Physics and Biology but those are optional or for college-bound students. Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology aren't required for a HS Diploma; they have other watered-down classes instead (like "consumer math").
Some High School districts offer college credits for Calculus, Physics, Chemistry...called AP classes (Advanced Placement). You do have to pass an exam to earn the college credits.
ChrisFox is right in that "in VN you learn a lot more in high school." Year after year, the "Asians" test well above the "Americans" in HS tests subjects.
However, Asians don't have cool extra-curricular activities in high school...like FOOTBALL!
You actually learn alot playing football. Teamwork, leadership, problem solving, conflict resolution, anger management, coping with stress. These "non-tangible" things that are taught in high school do help the nation in the long run.
But we still can't balance our government budget so....maybe we do need to focus more on Math.