Yong Zhao is an amazing educator who knows why our current obsession with testing is bad for American society. He spoke recently in Michigan, where he explained why we should focus on creativity and innovation, not test scores. He also explained why we should not be awed by Shanghai’s high test scores, because the Chinese educators are not.
This article in the New York Times may be related: well-educated professionals are fleeing China to live where there is greater freedom, greater opportunity, and a more stable future.
Aiming for higher and higher test scores is a narrow and stupid goal. What we should concern ourselves with is sustaining and building a better society, where innovation is nurtured and where young people see hope for a better future.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Yong Zhao is right next to “Gatesland.” (Sorry, Washington. No slur on your beautiful state intended.) You would think with Zhao’s technology credentials that Bill would be paying attention. I don’t agree with all of what Zhao has to say-he is a little too techie for me, but he is right on with his disdain for testmania.
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Here was my blog post on this article:
US capitalism and Chinese capitalism are merging into one…. read the description of the life of the Chinese professionals are fleeing— doesn’t it sound like the life our professionals need to lead if they want to advance in our economy? And the line that jumped out at me was this: “To get ahead here (in China) you have to be corrupt or have connections; we prefer a stable life.” After reading your recent post on NOLA this, too, has a familiar ring…
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Yong Zhao’s book on “Catching Up Or Leading The Way” sets the ground for many of his ongoing themes. A nice complement to those themes is Daniel Pink. I like Zhao’s endorsement of the school sponsored talent show as a way to give kids a way to develop and showcase their individual talents. And of course his recent challenging questions to NY Commissioner John King were right on the money–so to speak. However I doubt he will ever get honest and thoughtful answers.
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