The Smartest Kids in the World
I’m excited to tell you about a new book I’m working on. The title is, THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD. The book chronicles the stories of three American teenagers embedded in countries with superior education outcomes. I cannot wait to introduce you to these kids—all of whom have bravely left their American high schools to spend a year studying and living abroad.
Through them, I am learning what it would be like if America could do what a dozen other countries have done—and find a way to educate all kids to high standards, regardless of how much money their parents earn or where they live.
As I head out on this adventure, I’ll be posting updates and sharing what I discover along the way. You can follow my adventure on Twitter @smartkidsbook.
For now, here are a few stories that I’ve already written related to the book:
TIME Magazine: Korea’s Crackdown on Studying Sept 2011
The Atlantic Magazine: America vs. the World Dec 2010
Slate: Brilliance in a Box—the Best Classrooms in the World Oct 2010
More updates soon!
crystal said on February 24, 2011 at 10:54 am
From what I have read online about education in countries that perform the best, it seems that a lot of support comes form the parents who also have very high expectations. A lot of emphasis is also placed on children continuously practising until they are able to understand.
Susan said on March 03, 2011 at 3:59 pm
When I was in highschool, I spent several months learning abroad in France (Aix en Province specifically) as part of a foreign exchange program. Even though my hometown highschool was well funded, it was nothing in comparison to how well provided for the kids in my French school were, especially in the arts and music. With that in mind, I’m very eager to see the results of your endeavors.
Susan - <a >Cosmetology Schools</a> Writer
hester said on March 27, 2011 at 11:10 pm
I’d be happy for England to leave Adil alone for another 9 months, let him develop as a spinner for Yorks
as7ab3rb said on July 14, 2011 at 11:50 am
thank you
I spent several months learning abroad in France
Samy Martin said on June 28, 2012 at 3:12 pm
I personally believe the reason that students in the US are not excelling in education compared to less developed countries is because our teaching system is flawed. A lot of teachers start to coast when they receive a tenured position. I offer a after school program called Survival seeds and it was almost impossible to get my peers to contribute to this after school program. So I believe it’s the educators doing a poor job, not the students.
Jerry Morris said on July 04, 2012 at 4:53 pm
I read your piece in The Atlantic and heartily agree with the notion that the job of teaching is so difficult, it requires intensive training. I train teachers in a writing program. I have been to hundreds if not thousands of schools across the country. A couple of years ago, I was in a middle school in the south Bronx and realized within a half hour that most of the teachers in front of me had not been in the school the previous year. So, I asked. Of the 70 people, five had worked in the school the year before and of those none was in a classroom on a daily basis. In the group were many Teach for America candidates from elite schools, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc., some of whom were pretty cocky. All I could think of was, how many of you will be here at Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even October? The kids, the job, the environment, however you want to look at it, gooble them up. There may be a more difficult job, but it probably involves having a gun pointed at you - on an hourly basis.
upholstery cleaning nyc said on May 03, 2013 at 12:34 am
I have been searching for quite some time for information on this topic and no doubt your website saved my time and I got my desired information. Your post has been very helpful. Thanks.
buying reviews said on May 08, 2013 at 12:38 pm
I am preparing a college paper and collecting information on this topic. Your post is one of the better that I have read. Thank you for putting this information into one site.