Globalization of Education
Although this article has more to do with the globalization of worldwide education, rather than just the Americas, it is definitely a point of relevance in the discussion of education in America.
In NPR Ed’s arctice, “Want Change in Education? Look Beyond the Usual Suspects (Like Finland),” by Anya Kamenetz, she explores education as a growing and changing entity. [Link Below]. She discusses how in order to fix the western education standard, we must look beyond other western countries, and, interestingly, towards countries with developing education systems.
Kamenetz criticizes the Western education system, and especially criticizes the Unites States for its education gaps and dissatisfaction for the education system. Unfortunately, while we study the global educational spectrum, it is difficult to look past the education system that we are currently a part of in the United States. We are a rich and highly developed country, with high literacy rates and a developed educational structure. Still, our system is deeply flawed, often leaving students behind and giving inequitable resources.
Interestingly enough, Kamenetz argues that the US should be looking towards developing countries for how to improve our education system. In her words: “Some of the places with the fewest resources can become sources for huge inspiration.” She argues that we should be mirroring the quick advancements of countries such as Tanzania, Columbia, and Japan. These developing systems are breeding grounds for innovation. The practices being brought to play are game changers, and can be effective in helping rich, developed countries as well.
I think that this can definitely be connected to the readings we did by Tuhiwai Smith, discussing the relationship between indiginous peoples and western cultures and practices. Although slightly different, it is mirroring her ideas that the western education system can also learn from developing or indiginous peoples, rather than the prevailing notion that the Western education system is the best. In reality, the US has a lot to learn, and the stagnation of innovation in the United States education system is telling of our society’s indifference to education.
