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UPDATED: August 11, 2014 NO. 33, AUGUST 14, 2014
Gaokao: Making the Grade
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Do you think the gaokao is fair? On the one hand, it's a chance for poor, rural students to change their lives; on the other hand, it's a one-shot deal. What would happen if the gaokao were eliminated completely?

The gaokao really is a tricky thing. You're right, it really could provide a lot of students the opportunity to move up socioeconomically, but on the other hand, what if you're extremely sick or just have an "off" day? Unfortunately, you just have to go with it. I think that they try to make the system as fair as possible. But the problem is that China's population is simply too big for a change in the college admission system. If the gaokao were eliminated completely, I'm not sure how else students would apply. They couldn't possibly do it in the same way as the United States, where we have essays, grade point averages, SAT/ACT scores, Advanced Placement class scores, and letters of recommendation going into the admissions process. There are so many students, it would take too long.

You talk about the cultural differences of Americans and Chinese when it comes to education. Americans may seem to have an anti-intellectualism streak and value resilience and creative problem-solving. Chinese culture values self-discipline and hard work. What values do you think prepare kids best for adulthood?

I think it's important to understand that in order to be prepared for adulthood, it's best to have equal parts of both. One thing that I think it's essential to highlight is that both education systems can learn things from each other. They both have their strengths, but a bit of cross-examination could truly help build an extremely powerful education system.

As China's middle class develops, do you think the gaokao will lose its importance? Will there be more educational and job opportunities for young people who are not the best at standardized testing?

Given that the exam has existed for such a long time, I think that it'll take quite a bit of reform for the gaokao to lose its importance. Chinese society is so focused on it, I think it'd be quite a shock for all to shift gears toward something else. But times are changing and who knows, maybe in a decade, what we once thought will no longer be.

If you have children of your own, what approach do you think you will take with their education? What skills would you want them to have?

I never thought I'd say this, but I feel like I might follow the footsteps of my parents. I think I'll do things a little bit differently when it comes down to the details, but I would really like them to understand both the Chinese and American cultures. I would hope that they would be academically successful in the classroom, but I would want them to foster their creativity and develop their passions.

Yanna Gong is a recent high school graduate from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She has been recognized for her academic and literary talents, winning the 2011 National Peace Essay Competition, the International Chinese Youth Essay Competition and the 2010 Second Amendment Essay Competition. In fall of 2014 she begins her freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley.

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