Just another 10pm night

Talking with 8th graders about school in Korea always gets me down. Studying 10+ subjects, most subjects are taught as lecture and memorize, staying at school until 5 then going to academies, national tests in all subjects 4-6 times per year, 26 days of summer vacation during which they have to print out and complete work packets, etc. I tried to point out a positive by saying that their hard work shows as they score higher in math/science than our kids do in the US; but sadly, their response was "we also have more suicides". 

This is what I hear from my gifted students who I teach from 7-10pm.  I've heard it before and I'm sure I'll hear it again.  They often ask many questions about education in the States, so today I decided to show them the yearbook from my school.  At first they were excited to see all the photos; but by the end, I think it just depressed them to see all of our fun activities...academic and otherwise.  So sad.

I know I can't do anything in regards to their educational system, but it has shifted the way I view testing in CA.  I still don't like the high stakes testing, but I am  thankful that we only have one round of it.  Can you imagine going through that 4-6 times a year?   And that includes everyone...from science & English to PE & music.  No one is excluded.