Japan’s educational system is among the finest in the world.  While its schooling is similar to that of the United States, it drastically out performs America in both science in math.  Currently, Japan is leading the world in educational success.  This country makes education a great priority, and it shows. 

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/schueller.356/educational_systems

• This site provides information on the Japanese Educational System and how math is taught. It compares the Japanese schools to those in America and the differences in teaching methods used. Through this site you can also navigate to examples of the curriculum and teacher training that is used in Japan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/21/opinion/21mon4.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

• This article in the New York Times discusses the idea of implementing a system in the United States that focuses on refining methods to improve students’ understanding. In doing so, there are step by step strategies laid out for teaching lessons, reflecting the Japanese view successful teaching as the result of teacher development and self-scrutiny. This article also brings up the idea that Americans are falling behind because there are different standards for each of the 50 states which results in a lack of consistency in expectations. Click on the link above to read more on this controversial topic.

http://www.supremeessays.com/samples/Education/Education-in-Japan-vs-education-in-United-States.html

• This website is an article that critiques the United States’ educational system. It argues that America’s education is not as uniform as that of the Japanese. It discusses how America used to be one of the leading countries in education but now does not seem to have the same emphasis placed on education.

http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/0/3/5/8/9/pages35896/p35896-1.php

• This website provides a look at the similarities and differences between the teacher preparation programs of two large programs. One is in China and the other in the middle of the United States.

http://www.globaled.org/spot_JP/c2l2.html

• sample lesson plans of the Japanese curriculum.

http://www.globaled.org/spot_JP/c2l1.html

• sample lesson plans of the Japanese curriculum.

http://www.globaled.org/spot_JP/c3l1.html

• sample lesson plans of the Japanese curriculum.

http://www.globaled.org/spot_JP/c4l1.html

• sample lesson plans of the Japanese curriculum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J8gYFuQG6c

• This video shows a glimpse into a day in the life of Japanese students. It includes what is included in each grade level and the emphasis that is placed on textbooks and testing. Included are interviews and clips of actual teachers in action in the classroom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMFiyYjjUF0&feature=related

• Here is an interview that was conducted on a Japanese show regarding the schooling in Japan and how the curriculum is based.