Very strict, very rigorous system, lots of proofs, children are actively involved in the process (anyone can be asked to step forward and solve a problem / prove a theorem on the blackboard at any time, to demonstrate his understanding of the subject). NO multiple-choice tests at all. Everyone's expected to master each year's curriculum before they can move on to the next level (for example, all students are expected to memorize the multiplication table up to 10x10 by the end of the second grade).
As to the specific learning schedule, I believe it's similar to the United States:
- 5th and 6th grade: elementary math
- 7th and 8th grade: geometry, polynomials, linear functions, graphs, quadratic functions, rational fractions
- 9th grade: solid geometry, integral powers, systems of equations, systems of inequalities, basics of trigonometry
- 10th grade: exponentials, logarithms, trigonometry
- 11th grade: derivatives, integrals
there's a total of 11 grades, most children start schooling at 7 and graduate at 18.
About half of all kids at intl'-level math competitions come from a couple of dedicated magnet schools with tough admission criteria and those schools have different learning schedules.
edpell said:
It seems to me to win competitions you need to teach to the top 1%. It does not matter what the bottom 99% are taught or learn as far as competition results are concerned. I would guess Russia has a way to serve the top 1% and the US does not.
In my opinion, to win competitions, you need to make sure that all mentally capable students study enough math and make it to the competition. Math curriculum is not all that important. A couple of years ago some American student made it to the IMO from Hollywood High School (poor gang-infested hispanic high school where most of us would be afraid to send our own kids).
