Expertise in Forensics

Rice Paddies and Math Tests Rice was what you sold at the market to buy the other necessities of life. It was how wealth and status were measured. It dictated almost every working day of life. (p. 227)

International Differences in Math

Western vs. Asian Math Differences Phonological Loop Shorter numbers, larger span

Western vs. Asian Math Differences Logic of Counting System 11 is “eleven-one” 24 is “two-tens-four”

Western vs. Asian Math Differences Counting Differences By 5, English children are year behind Asian counterparts in basic skills, e.g., counting

Western vs. Asian Math Differences The Asian system is transparent…I think that it makes the whole attitude toward math different. Instead of being a rote learning thing, there’s a pattern I can figure out. There is an expectation that it’s sensible. The Chinese is literally ‘out of five parts, take three.’ That’s telling you conceptually what a fraction is.

The Eastern Agricultural Work Ethic Don’t depend on heaven for food, but on your own two hands carrying the load. Useless to ask about the crops, it all depends on hard work and fertilizer. Farmers are busy; if farmers weren’t busy, where would grain to get through the winter come from. No one who can rise before dawn three hundred sixty days a year fails to make his family rich.

International Differences in Math Some Conclusions: Because of differences in structure of number words, Asian children acquire primary mathematical abilities (e.g., counting) earlier, but this can’t explain very large differences in math achievement

International Differences in Math Some Conclusions: Arithmetic topics that are introduced in the 5 th or 6 th grade in the U.S. are introduced in the 2 nd or 3 rd grade in Japan, China, and other Asian countries

International Differences in Math Some Conclusions: Mathematics is emphasized in East Asian cultures, but de-emphasized in the U.S. Cultural differences affect in-school experiences

Ability vs. Persistence

Ability vs. Persistence (Gambaru) Gambaru: the belief that one can achieve high status through persistent effort

Ability vs. Persistence (Gambaru)

What Malcolm Says Imagine every year, there was a Math Olympics…we could predict precisely the order in which every country would finish in the Math Olympics without asking a single question. All we would have to do is give them some task measuring how hard they were willing to work…We wouldn’t even have to give them a task. We should be able to predict which countries are best at math simply by looking at which national cultures place the highest emphasis on effort and hard work.

Marita’s Bargain

KIPP KIPP schools can be classified into three groups: Middle schools - The traditional KIPP middle school starts with a fifth grade and adds a grade each year to serve fifth through eighth grades. The majority of KIPP schools are middle schools. High schools - KIPP high schools begin with ninth grade and add a grade each year until they become full ninth through twelfth grade high schools. Pre-K/Elementary schools - KIPP pre- kindergarten/elementary schools typically begin with a pre- kindergarten or kindergarten class and add a grade each year until eventually enrolling up to fourth grade students.

KIPP The KIPP approach KIPP schools are free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools where underserved students develop the knowledge, skills, and character traits needed to succeed in top quality high schools, colleges, and the competitive world beyond. By providing a safe and structured learning environment, more time in school, and passionate, committed teachers, KIPP schools have helped students make significant academic gains. Each KIPP school is governed by a local board of directors and led by a school leader.

Does KIPP work?

Not Enough School? ClassAfter1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th Total Low Middle High