Loss US Academic Competitiveness hype?

  • Thread starter Thread starter elfboy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Academic Loss
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived decline in US academic competitiveness, particularly in mathematics, compared to students from countries like China, Russia, and Korea. Participants explore the implications of various statistics and methodologies used to assess academic performance, questioning the validity and significance of these comparisons.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the narrative of American students underperforming is exaggerated and that the methodology behind such claims is flawed.
  • One participant suggests that the inclusion of all students in the US education system, including those who may not perform well, skews the average performance metrics.
  • Another participant highlights the high literacy rate in the US (99%) compared to India (75%) as a point of discussion, questioning how literacy rates are measured and their relevance to the debate.
  • Questions are raised about the definitions of "very high" and "very low" attendance rates in the US educational context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of academic performance comparisons, with no consensus reached on the validity of the claims or the methodologies used. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these statistics.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for clarity on how literacy rates are measured and the criteria for comparing educational attendance rates, indicating potential limitations in the data presented.

elfboy
Messages
92
Reaction score
1
loss US Academic Competitiveness... hype?

In my opinion all this hype about American students underperforming Chinese, Russian, & Korean students in math is overblown. Even if it is true it's not that big of a deal and the methodology used to come to these conclusions is flawed. In America school is mandatory and college attendance is very high so you will have absolutely more talented students, but the mean will be lower because of all the under-performers who were 'dragged' to go to school or are not smart enough are factored into the statistic. In India and China only the smartest, richest, and most determined brightest get a higher education.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
elfboy said:
In my opinion all this hype about American students underperforming Chinese, Russian, & Korean students in math is overblown. Even if it is true it's not that big of a deal and the methodology used to come to these conclusions is flawed.

Can you back these statements up?
 
How does any of that back the statements I quoted from you?
 
In addition to what Pengwuino said,

"The USA has a literacy rate of 99% compared to India with only 75%. "
- How literacy rate is measured?
- Are you wanting to compare absolute or %ages?
- What is "very high" attendance in America? What is "very low", "low"?
 

Similar threads

News Can America Keep Up? US News & World Report
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
9K
How to Write an Effective Appeal Letter for Academic Dismissal?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
14K
ECONOMICS: It's stupid to be afraid (Lee Kuan Yew to Der Spiegel)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
US Visa issues for science students/scholars
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K