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Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon?: Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World 1st Edition

by Yong Zhao (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 84 ratings
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The secrets behind China's extraordinary educational system – good, bad, and ugly

Chinese students' consistently stunning performance on the international PISA exams― where they outscore students of all other nations in math, reading, and science―have positioned China as a world education leader. American educators and pundits have declared this a "Sputnik Moment," saying that we must learn from China's education system in order to maintain our status as an education leader and global superpower.

Indeed, many of the reforms taking hold in United States schools, such as a greater emphasis on standardized testing and the increasing importance of core subjects like reading and math, echo the Chinese system. We're following in China's footsteps―but is this the direction we should take?

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? by award-winning writer Yong Zhao offers an entertaining, provocative insider's account of the Chinese school system, revealing the secrets that make it both "the best and worst" in the world. Born and raised in China's Sichuan province and a teacher in China for many years, Zhao has a unique perspective on Chinese culture and education. He explains in vivid detail how China turns out the world's highest-achieving students in reading, math, and science―yet by all accounts Chinese educators, parents, and political leaders hate the system and long to send their kids to western schools. Filled with fascinating stories and compelling data, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? offers a nuanced and sobering tour of education in China.

  • Learn how China is able to turn out the world's highest achieving students in math, science, and reading
  • Discover why, despite these amazing test scores, Chinese parents, teachers, and political leaders are desperate to leave behind their educational system
  • Discover how current reforms in the U.S. parallel the classic Chinese system, and how this could help (or hurt) our students' prospects
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  1. ISBN-10
    1118487133
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1118487136
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Jossey-Bass
  5. Publication date
    September 15, 2014
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6 x 1.1 x 9.1 inches
  8. Print length
    272 pages
  9. See all details
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Perry Gao
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book! It is a must read for those who care about our children, our education and the future!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2014
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    Yong Zhao's books are the few attractive books that I wanted to finish reading without a break. As a student came from China, I have been trained to be submissive and meeting other people's need. I came from the system, but never had a chance to take a close look at it, or question it. This book gives me a great opportunity to reexamine the education I have received, and grants me a more clear understanding of myself. It helped me to rethink the definition of being a good student or being successful.

    In addition, I believe that this book is even more helpful to the whole educational system in America now. I remember that Dr. Zhao once said that, "World Class Learner" is the book tells people what should be done, and this book tells people what should not be done. I believe this book has done the work successfully. "Practice is the only criterion for testing truth." Therefore, I believe that the best way to tell whether or not a practice or a policy works is to look around the world to see whether or not it worked out in those countries that tried it before. Many educational policies in today's America have already been practiced in China for hundreds of years, such as standardization and high-stake testing. If those policies do not work out in China, or the side effects are bigger than their benefits, why should people believe miracle would happen in America?

    However, as a student who studies education in America, I sadly found that people do believe there would be a miracle, because very often when people discuss about a practice or a policy, they lack a global view and they have been restricted by thinking locally. Therefore, I believe the importance of Dr. Zhao's voice cannot be overstated in today's America.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • A bookworm in Arlington, VA
    4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting analysis about an important topic
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
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    Anyone interested in education policy would find this book interesting. Dr. Zhao does an excellent job showing the negative aspects of the "No Child Left Behind" (2001) and "Race to the Top" (2009) initiatives--a strong incentive for everyone involved in education to cheat. Scandal after scandal after a school reports "miracle" results have followed in the wake of these misguided laws.

    Dr. Zhao believes that "rampant cheating is just the tip of the iceberg." He believes that high-stakes testing is a "virus," and that this virus represents "the rising tide of authoritarianism in the United States." The word "authoritarianism," used countless times in the book, is a scourge in China, and it threatens to take over education in the US as well, according to the author.

    "Under the spell of authoritarianism, Americans have willingly surrendered their beloved local governments to state and federal control." Quite so. Americans look to China's top-ranked Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, and they apparently conclude that China must be something right--especially as China (Shanghai, in particular) scores at the top year after year.

    According to the author, China has "produced the world's best test scores at the cost of diverse, creative, and innovative talents." "China's educational system is worshipped, even in the developed West." However, Dr. Zhao believes that Western admiration for China's education system is misplaced.

    At the heart of this education system is the national exam known as the "gaokao," which serves as the sole university entrance requirement. The fate of a student's academic career and future prospects is determined by this crucial assessment. Students and their families are fanatical to an astonishing degree in preparing for this exam. Time, personal lives, and resources are all sacrificed in the pursuit of success on this make or break, two-day ordeal. It's hard not to admire how seriously the Chinese undertake this challenge.

    Dr. Zhao then traces the history of China's education policy, and he offers a superb summary of how the government has viewed its legendary national exam. One of the surprises is that rampant fraud plagues the academic community, and much of the data regarding patents and scientific papers are misleading. He insightfully asserts that:

    " . . . the problem runs deeper, and it's almost unsolvable. It is rooted in an authoritarian culture that has continued for thousands of years, and very few Chinese, particularly those in leadership, have any desire to change that culture. In fact, any criticism of this authoritarian culture is viewed as un-Chinese and anti-Chinese, inviting not rational discussion but emotional attacks and quite possibly political and legal troubles."

    The book is filled with my interesting observations and insights. For example, he writes that: "Chinese education is more of a tool for social control than a process for self-enlightenment." He also offers this interesting observation: "even if the government did not invest in schooling at all, Chinese students and their parents would willingly create educational opportunities on their own, just as their ancestors did."

    Dr. Zhao criticizes the overwhelming focus on "teaching to the test," and he believes that the PISA scores do not reflect the knowledge that matters most in modern society. He even questions whether PISA is an accurate measure of the areas that it does test. PISA, in his view, should not be viewed as the whole story in assessing which country has the best education system.

    This is a book that should be read by educators and policymakers. It is a excellent starting point for a discussion of whether China's education system should serve as a model for the US--or a cautionary tale as to what we should avoid.
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  • A. J. G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars They have FANTASTIC test takers
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2015
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    A very important read for any educator! It should be required. As an international educator in China I have been very interested in the PISA results, not because Chinese people talk about them, but because the Western education seems use it as an indicator to change. Which is such an odd statement concern about a country with no Nobel prizes in math or chemistry, and no world changing Steve Jobs(s). They have FANTASTIC test takers. That's about it right now. Zhao does an excellent job of telling us why, and sort of leaves it as obvious that what we need is creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative students. Not rote learners.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • James M. Hammond
    3.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile examination of the testing issue and the dilemma it poses.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2014
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    The villain in this story is accountability testing of students. The logic is that mere statistical testing of student progress is not an acceptable measure of student learning and is not useful in measuring teacher performance. The author begins with an analysis of the results obtained in America by such an approach and then translates its affects in China. He relates this approach to the ancient practice in China used by the emperors to instill certain authoritative useful qualities to control his advisors. In China, rote learning was the main methods used to produce dedicated automaton-like individuals who followed the emperors political line.
    Unfortunately, the forgoing approach doesn't encourage creativeness. Rather, the emphasis is on superior test performance!
    Personally, I believe there needs to be a mix of statistical and other means to measure performance. I realize measuring creativeness is impossible so testing will always be somewhat subjective in measuring a desired result. I agree with the author up to a point but I think the final answer is not as simple as he may believe.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Frank Calberg
    4.0 out of 5 stars Who's afraid of the big bad dragon?
    Reviewed in Germany on March 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Takeaways from reading the book:
    - Location 300: In education in China, much effort is devoted to memorization of information as well as preparing for and doing tests. Strong focus is put on homogeneous thinking, discipline, obedience and compliance.
    - Location 2600: The most damaging effect of Chinese education is its effectiveness in eliminating individual differences, suppressing intrinsic motivation, and imposing conformity.
    - Location 3850: The author contrasts employee-oriented education with entrepreneur-oriented education and indicates that more entrepreneur-oriented education is needed in China. In other words, more needs to be done to maximize individual differences, to listen to the passions and interests that each person / student has, and work for variation, diversity, tolerance, autonomy, and student-driven education. Education needs to support individual talents to a larger degree, the author writes. In this regard, personalized education, which promotes diversity and creativity, is needed. More needs to done to engage children in global interactions, foster their social-emotional development and inspire innovation.
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  • Sébastien Poitras
    3.0 out of 5 stars but sounds at times like China-bashing. Absolutely no mention of any better know ...
    Reviewed in Canada on November 27, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Full of interesting information and analysis, but sounds at times like China-bashing. Absolutely no mention of any better know or conceptual system, so the focus is very narrow. It is the message to Americans, a warning against copying the Chinese system.
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  • Reena
    3.0 out of 5 stars good insights of historical roots for actual Chinese education system
    Reviewed in Germany on September 30, 2018
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    The book gives a good insight of the education system in China and where the believes and values for the teaching methods are rooted in history. Zhao provides a good understanding of the mind set of Chinese society by explaining vivid examples and historical events.
    Unfortunately, Zhao focuses a lot on the Chinese history, reading the title I expected it to be more about the actual education system and its advantages and disadvantages. Various opinions of experts of the education field and his own experience being born and raised in China gives valuable insight to the raised issues. However, opinions of students and their parents would be nice to read as well, in order to understand the position of actual participants of the system.
    All in all, it is an easy and quick read, with some lengthy parts because of redundant information. I would recommend the book to someone who is interested in learning about the values and mind set of the Chinese education system.
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  • Fabian Rose
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good insight on Chinese education
    Reviewed in Germany on October 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Basically, “Who's afraid of the BIG BAD DRAGON? “ by Yong Zhao deals with the development of Chinese education system and the roots of China's current Keju system. Moreover he tries to explain why America should not adapt the Chinese approach of teaching and testing students. Although China has a tremendous growth of economy and high scores PISA test results. He mentioned many different sources such as books, magazines, interviews and comments.
    The author used several different sources, so you got different views and ideas.
    Some aspects were quite interesting to see for example the huge differences between the education system. Especially the Chinese system based on the authoritarianism Confucius system. The book is accessible, timely, and appropriate for educators, students, or frankly anyone interested in Chinese education.
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