"Two of my colleagues observed a high school mathematics class for gifted students in
central China. Twenty students. Two teachers, both of whom had PhDs as well as a
master' s degree in teaching. In the United States and Canada, the annual William
Lowell Putnam has a deserved reputation as the toughest test of mathematical abilities -
it is commonly given to advanced college students. The Chinese class was working on
problem A6 from 2005."
central China. Twenty students. Two teachers, both of whom had PhDs as well as a
master' s degree in teaching. In the United States and Canada, the annual William
Lowell Putnam has a deserved reputation as the toughest test of mathematical abilities -
it is commonly given to advanced college students. The Chinese class was working on
problem A6 from 2005."
China lacks the auditability of No Child Left Behind, so we do not know how many
students attend special high schools. We doubt the number is small.
students attend special high schools. We doubt the number is small.