In conjunction with Chicago Matters: Valuing Education,Worldview is exploring the value of education on a global level. We look at how other countries pursue education goals like universal primary education and gender and class equity. And we discuss how countries in the developing and developed world deal with educational philosophies about tracking, testing, and privatization.
Schedule and Audio Library
Schedule and guests subject to change
Monday, April 24, 2006
Measuring Educational Equity in the Developed World Andreas Schleicher—Head, Indicators and Analysis Division in the Directorate of Education, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris; Project Director, OECD's Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)
The OECD rates education performance of students in the developed world. They also rate how countries are doing at providing equal opportunities to students of all socio-economic backgrounds. Andreas Schleicher discusses what educational leaders like Finland and Korea do that countries further down the list like Germany and the U.S. do not.
Finland—Educational Utopia? Pirjo Linnakylä—Vice Director, Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä
Schools in Finland used to be mediocre. Then they undertook a series of reforms. Their strategy now includes no standardized testing and no tracking. They have shorter school days and spend less money per student than the U.S. But as Pirjo Linnakyla explains, their schools now rate best in the world.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Korea—High-Performing Pressure Cooker
Michael J. Seth—Assistant Professor of History, James Madison University
Korean schools were in shambles following the Korean War. These days they are some of the highest achieving in the world. But this achievement sometimes comes at a high cost—students under pressure have been known to commit suicide in elementary school. And the United Nations has criticized the amount of time Korean youth spend in after-school tutoring programs as a violation of their right to play.
Access to Education: School Fees inAfrica Joanne Carter—Legislative Director, RESULTS
In Africa, school fees prevent many children, especially girls, from attending school. Joanne Carter discusses the international movement to abolish school fees for primary education, and how to help countries with the influx of new students that come once education is free.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Recovering from Educational Wounds of Apartheid John Gilmour—Principal, LEAP Maths and Science School, Cape Town, South Africa In apartheid South Africa, black South Africans were not allowed to study fields such as science and engineering. The LEAP Maths and Science School aims to begin to make up for years of racism in the educational system. It encourages black South African youth from an economically disadvantaged area of Cape Town to excel in mathematic and scientific achievement.
Vouchers from Santiago to Milwaukee Martin Carnoy—Professor of Education and Economics at Stanford; Former President, Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)
Martin Carnoy explores the debate over privatizing education, and in particular the use of vouchers. He examines the cases of Santiago, Chile, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Emergency Education for Refugees Rebecca Winthrop—Chair, Inter Agency Network on Education in Emergencies (INEE) Steering Group; Education Technical Advisor at the International Rescue Committee
Global Activism: Extreme School Make-Over in Thailand Vachirapa Chankajorn—Rong Rein Khong Noo, “My School” Television show, Thailand
Vachirapa Chankajorn's brother was serving in the Thai army when he saw the poor state of schools in remote areas of rural Thailand. When he returned he wanted to do something about it so he recruited his family and television crews to help him make a documentary television program called “My School.” Each program takes viewers to a school that needs help and then volunteers come and renovate the school.
Global Action Week: Global Teacher Shortage Camilla Crosso Silva—Board Member, Global Campaign for Education, Coordinator of the Brazil office
The coalition the Global Campaign for Education launches its Global Action Week on Monday, April 24-Friday, April 28, 2006. The group works to fulfill the goals of education for all, and this year focuses on the need for quality teachers around the world.
Friday, April 28, 2006
International Schooling in Chicago—British School Ellyn Ong Vea—Worldview Contributor
Chicago is home to a British school run by a British headmaster, British teachers, and a British curriculum. But most of the students are American. Ellyn Ong Vea explores why American parents foot the bill for a good British education.
International Schooling in Chicago—Japanese School Chicago Futabakai Japanese Day School, Arlington Heights
Recently it was the first day of school at the Chicago Futabakai Japanese Day School in Arlington Heights. They start school in April—like the rest of Japan, even though they live here in Chicago. Worldview host Jerome McDonnell went back to school to see their ceremony for new students and meet their principal.
Chicago is home to one of the largest populations of Ukrainians outside Ukraine. While there are numerous cultural educational opportunities, navigating the education system can still be tricky for new immigrants from Ukraine. Larissa Hotra explores what older and newer generations of Ukrainian immigrants can learn from each other.
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