Last week, Maine Commissioner of Education and Raymond resident Susan Gendron traveled to China as part of a 20-member delegation to the country’s Ministry of Education.

This cross-section of educators and businessmen visited schools in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, talking with both educators and students. In addition, they met with China’s Minister of Education and attended a forum to discuss methods of education and develop a network of resources and cooperation beneficial to both countries.

At this day-long forum, delegates made presentations on topics ranging from leadership to standards. Gendron presented Maine’s laptop initiative.

The group also toured a high-tech facility connected with a university and major resource centers. In this popular and growing program, Chinese graduate students participate in advancing technological solutions on a campus that is also home to a number of corporations.

With 1.3 billion people, China is reorganizing its schools and exploring new, progressive education issues.

According to Gendron, over the next five years it will become mandatory for Chinese children to attend school through grade 12. Currently, the requirement is through grade nine. The Ministry of Education in China has also instituted an English program in the schools from grade three on.

China, eager to promote the study of their language, would like to send educators to the United States to help develop a Chinese language program. The delegation also learned about a new CD ROM-based Chinese language program designed for middle school students. As a result of the trip, Gendron said she is interested in exploring Chinese as a language option for Maine students, who are required under the Learning Results to have instruction in a foreign language.

Since the Chinese learning system is based primarily on memorization, Gendron said “the Chinese Education Minister is attempting to emulate our critical thinking and problem solving” into their curriculum.

But in math, Chinese students excell and Singapore always tests number one in the world. Gendron and others in the delegation believe schools in the U.S. could learn a lot about math and science instruction from China.

“We are trying to raise the level of math,” Gendron said.

One key that she feels contributes to their success in China is the introduction of algebraic concepts at an early age – as young as preschool. Because of this, Chinese students complete calculus by the time they graduate. In the United States, algebraic concepts are not presented until second or third grade.

However, Gendron was encouraged to see that Maine standards are comparable to what’s being taught in Singapore, with similar assessments used in both areas, as well.

Although the school day in China ends at 3 p.m., children remain at school until 5 p.m., pursuing organized activities, clubs and sports or getting extra help from teachers.

A teacher’s school day in China is different from one in the United States, as well, Gendron said. While there are usually 60 to 70 students in a classroom with one teacher, that teacher only has two classes a day. The rest of the teacher’s time is spent working with students individually, planning and in teacher enrichment.

As opposed to schools in the United States, where there is some local control, schools in China are regulated at the national level with curriculum and expectations that every province must follow.

But the country and its culture have instilled a sense of responsibility in these children that Gendron feels is missing in the United States.

“The culture of the children is that they have to improve upon themselves to ensure their parents are well cared for, to ensure a better life for themselves, and to ensure that their government will prosper,” Gendron said. “They are taught it is an honor to be in school and they should never do anything to be disrespectful.”

Gendron believes this country needs to get back to the point where education is valued and essential for a happy life.