We keep hearing the same thing, over and over again: Our kids' schools are slipping behind. We're not keeping up with the rest of the world. Our kids won't be able to compete with kids from competitive countries like Singapore and Finland. Is it true? How do we know? Well, now, there's a tool that lets you find out exactly how your own child's school district compares with schools around the world. Are you ready to face the numbers?
The Atlantic has a school ranking interactive map you can use to look up your kids' school district to find out how it ranks globally... gulp! First find your state, then your county, then your district. And then, start to panic. Or feel proud?
The "Global Report Card" interactive map compares math and reading scores. Is it sick that I was relieved to find my local district is not actually in the interactive map? (Ignorance = bliss!) Then the map tells you how your school would rank if it were dropped into another country. And that's when things get really depressing. I mean, what on earth is Canada doing in those schools to produce such spectacular results?
The discouraging thing is that even schools in wealthier suburban areas aren't scoring nearly as high as the top-ranking countries. But... this is all based on math and reading scores. Does that really give us the whole picture?
If you've ever seen the documentary Waiting for Superman you may have learned that we aren't first in anything academic, but we do rank highest in "self esteem." You could see that as hilarious and delusional. (OUCH!) Or you could see it as our own particular strength. USA! USA! USA! But you know what? Confidence is great, but it sure looks like our schools still need to do a better job educating our kids.
How does your kids' school district measure up with other countries'?
Image via Elizabeth Albert
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Comments 5
I mean, what on earth is Canada doing in those schools to produce such spectacular results?
We're sorry for kicking ass at education, eh.
These results are 3 years old. My daughter's school distrcit wasn't stellar, but holding just below the 50% range for both reading and math as of three years ago and the scores in the district have been steadily climbing since 2009. I'd love to see how we stack up as of now, and I'd also like to see some science and technology scores.
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can we also factor in how many kids are passed with decent grades but graduate illiterate? unable to read, fill out applications or do basic math? take those scores, and halve them.
and then thank your no child left behind policy!
here in canada, an edmonton school recently fought to bring back failing grades and **gasp!** ZERO marks for assignments not done!!!! hopefully this will become a trend and the rest of canada will follow suite. because i dont know about you, but when I was a kid, the 15 yr old sitting in a class full of 12-13 yr olds, was a huge motivation to **gasp!** LEARN MY WORK!