Cram School

I happened upon this couplet of words in my Kindergarten curriculum yesterday afternoon for the first time. I decided I would look it up online to see what I could find. Because Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias alike are blocked by the Chinese government, this was all the information I could find on Cram School. I encourage you to use your resources to find out more information if you're interested. The following information came from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Cram_school.

Cram school, also referred to as supplementary education or tutorials, is a kind of private school that provides highly organized lessons conducted after regular school hours and on weekends. A cram school, as the name suggests, aims at conveying as much information which is related to particular examinations to students as possible in a short period of time. The training in cram school, especially in an academic approach, places the emphasis on filling students’ heads with all the materials that are considered necessary for particular examinations. The students who attend the supplementary courses are trained to memorize the materials and master the skills needed for answering questions without critical thinking. Hence, cram schools are sometimes criticized for the lack of education their students receive in critical thinking and analysis.

Chinese culture values academic success and the administration system for selecting capable persons; the modern social structure in transition can be regarded as a latent factor which indirectly support cram school. For example, Confucian beliefs about the role of hard work and ability in academic achievement point to education as critical in the future of children. Therefore, parents in traditional Chinese society think highly on children’s scholastic achievement because academic achievement is regarded as one of critical factors which impact children’s future career development.

The growing popularity of cram schools can be attributed to the parents’ belief that children can benefit from joining extra-curricular programs. With the growing importance of competitive entrance examinations in gaining admission to prestigious senior high schools and universities, parents tend to enroll their children in supplementary programs to enhance their performance in examinations, especially when their children enter middle school. Even though the tuition at cram school is high, most parents are willing to pay because it will help their children’s success in life.

In addition to Chinese cultural and parent’s beliefs in academic success, the competitive entrance examinations for getting into a prestigious university and high school is one of the essential factors which support cram schools. In Taiwan, most students entering high schools or universities are determined by their performances in examination. The subjects tested in entrance examinations are Chinese, mathematics, science, social studies, and English. Due to the prospect of getting a good job depends on the school attended; success or failure on an entrance examination may impact a student's future. Thus, as students experience the pressure of entrance examination, they would like to attend supplementary school for practice tests. At this aspect, a cram school plays the role to provide organized materials and intensive training to help students to pass the examinations.

For the purpose of helping the students succeed in examinations, direct instruction is commonly considered the most effective instructional method used in cram schools...the typical teaching process involves (1) lecturing and organized materials are provided for students, and the material taught in the two kinds of cram schools above are closely related to the school syllabus, (2) students are required to practice with various types of problems similar to those used in tests, and (3) repeated drills and tests.

In nonacademic-oriented cram schools, teachers frequently adapt the materials to fit individual student’s needs and interests, however, in regular schools, teachers just follow the standard curriculum. In many cases, the lessons studied in nonacademic-oriented cram schools provide an intellectual challenge for students, some students therefore enjoy engaging in these programs.

Most children go as early as three years old, so as to be sure to qualify for the top kindergartens.

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