differences in the students' performance from various regions in diverse subjects are analyzed. Essentially, the impact of the culture of the specific countries on educational perspectives and the concomitant effects on the students' test performance are examined. In addition, the barriers that undermine the ability of the students from certain cultural backgrounds to excel in their schooling are addressed. The focus of the comparison is on students from Asian and American cultural backgrounds. More specifically, the Asian points of view on education will be juxtaposed with those of various minority groups in the U.S. including the Asian Americans, African Americans and Hispanic Americans. Finally, educational strategies for improving the overall performance of American students vis-a-vis their Asian counterparts will also be presented.
Although both Asians and Americans consider education to be an integral part of children's development and socialization, there are considerable differences in the educational perspectives between these two cultures. First, many Asian societies see schools as critical in deciding their children's future. It is little wonder that most Asian schools have longer school days and longer school years than Western schools because of their inherent conviction that early education is so critical to later job success. Furthermore, Thomas P. Rohlen (1983) observes that students have to undergo a series of tests when they begin their education in Japanese schools. The objective of these tests is to sort the students into different academic categories that play a significant role in shaping the students' future. In Korea, the nationwide university entrance examination has a significant impact on the future of the individual students. Only graduates from a prestigious university will be able to acquire a high-paying job and desirable social status (Lee & Larson, 2000, p. 249).
In contrast, Ameri...