The Smartest Kids In The World: And How They Got That Way

Throughout The Smartest Kids in the World, Ripley continually asks one question: What makes an education system successful? She looks into various factors to find the answer, however complex it may be. Early on, she wonders whether “education is a function of culture” and explores whether major change can come from reforms in the United States (3), inspired by success in other countries. Ripley argues that quality education is defined by high expectations of teachers and students, equity (i.e., supporting those who fall behind), and a focus on critical thinking rather than rote learning. In countries like South Korea, Poland, and Finland, education is taken seriously by students, parents, and teachers alike.

Standardized testing is a controversial topic in studies of education. It is commonly used as one of the benchmarks of a quality education, as it creates clear goals and expectations that teachers and students can meet. In South Korea, for example, students take an all-encompassing graduation exam that determines university access and future careers. Finland has a similar exam that takes 50 hours and three weeks to complete. Aside from standardized tests for college-bound students like the SAT and ACT, the US system suffers from inconsistency across states and even across local districts in its high school testing standards.