Book - The Smartest Kids In The World

"Through the compelling stories of three American teenagers living abroad and attending the world’s top-notch public high schools, an investigative reporter explains how these systems cultivate the “smartest” kids on the planet.

America has long compared its students to top-performing kids of other nations. But how do the world’s education superpowers look through the eyes of an American high school student? Author Amanda Ripley follows three teenagers who chose to spend one school year living and learning in Finland, South Korea, and Poland. Through their adventures, Ripley discovers startling truths about how attitudes, parenting, and rigorous teaching have revolutionized these countries’ education results.

In The Smartest Kids in the World, Ripley’s astonishing new insights reveal that top-performing countries have achieved greatness only in the past several decades; that the kids who live there are learning to think for themselves, partly through failing early and often; and that persistence, hard work, and resilience matter more to our children’s life chances than self-esteem or sports.

Ripley’s investigative work seamlessly weaves narrative and research, providing in-depth analysis and gripping details that will keep you turning the pages. Written in a clear and engaging style, The Smartest Kids in the World will enliven public as well as dinner table debates over what makes for brighter and better students." image & summary from goodreads.com

I've been reading books about education and how to improve education for decades. I found this book interesting, especially since we have 10 grandchildren in public schools, one in college, and one recent college graduate. Joe and I both worked in public school systems in Ohio, at the local, county, and state levels. We care deeply about teaching, learning, and students. My parents stressed the importance of education, schools, and life long learning. They had very high expectations - for their children, schools, and teachers.

After reading a book, I like to read a variety of reviews.  Go to goodreads.com for diverse opinions about the book. Many agreed with the author's analysis; others did not. Click here for a review in the New York Times. Here for a Washington Post review. Here for a Denver Post review. 

I was interested in the author's observations about the stated importance of learning - to the individual, the family, the community, and to the country. What are the consequences when learning is taken seriously and people have high expectations for students? How do sports, technology, teacher training, parental relationships, self esteem programs, and other variables affect learning? 

The author is concerned that too many schools are not teaching students the "higher-order thinking" skills they need to "thrive in the modern world." She feels that schools need to create "a serious intellectual culture in schools, one that kids can sense is real and true." 

Amanda Ripley's website