Perspectives on High Performing Education Systems in Finland, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Singapore: What Lessons for the U.S.?

Abstract

The focus of this chapter is on lessons that the United States might do well to adopt from four High Performing Education Systems (HPES), specifically China (Hong Kong), Finland, South Korea and Singapore. These lessons focus on the basic, fundamental principles that are necessary to attain a world-class teaching profession and education system to which every country aspires, but few have yet to fully realize. The lessons have universal applications and sit at the heart of meaningful educational reform and excellent teaching. This chapter concludes with some thoughts about lessons the U.S. might do well to unlearn – as well as relearn – if its goal is to benefit from the example of the HPES.