A few days ago, Dr. Kenji Tamaru, a class mate, a member of Japan Academy, sent me a following e-mail. He has been very active to reform the education system in Japan, especially to promote the reform of science education in this country:
We are now in the midst of autumn. I think you
are well after I saw you last time.。
When Dr. Albert, Governor of National Science Academy, came to
Japan last fall, he told about science education reform in U.S.A.
as follows:
"In old days, we taught pupils to memorize the kinds of whales at science education. Recently we have reformed basically the science education system. It educate pupils from 5 year old to think creatively by themselves. We have started a new education nationally alreday."
The International Higher Laboratory in Kyoto, to which I have some relations, got some data about U.S. science education reform recently. Their new system is going to be executed nationally. It can be said as "National Science Education Standards." It is something like "course of study" recommended by Ministry of Education. Its copy is very thick. A part of Inquiry was translated. But a leaflet titled as "Every Child A Scientist" covered roughly a whole structure of new education. So herewith I send you a copy of its full translation for your reference.
It is much different from the Education Ministry's "course of study." In United States, as local authorities have power and leadership, I do not know how wide this new education system is accepted throughout the nation.
In Japan, even if this system is admitted as ideal system, it might be criticized as this education is not useful to entrance examinations of high schools or universities (I think it is not the fault of new education, but the entrance examination is responsible.) All teachers have been trained by the old system. They taught people chemistry (these days, physics or mathematics too) as an academic area in which grades depend on memorization. I am afraid we do have little teachers who can afford to develop new education system. As such an education lacked in Japan, to tell the new education system might cause a reaction to generate the spirits to accept it.
I have firmly believed in the necessity of new
science education which draws out individuality as well as creativity
from each pupil. No more memorization education. I have quite
interest in science education when a new computer age started.
This U.S. new science education system has not been known in Japan.
The officials in Bureau of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Ministry of Education, did not know it. A professor who made "course
of study" told me recently that he has not read it yet but
has quite interests in it. Thank you.