National New Article: Critics say top-rated Chinese education system has a flaw

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-02-01-asia_education01_ST_N.htm
Last month it was reported that Shanghai students outperformed the rest of the world in math, science, and reading. Critics say is was expected, and that it is because of their belief of a society that values education. Now, the critics are saying that the Chinese education system is not producing innovative or creative students. They are comparing numbers based on a test, OECD, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. U.S. students ranked average in reading and science and slightly below average in math. I think that critics will find flaws in any education system.  The fact is that the Chinese education system is outperforming the United States.  The part of this article that caught my attention is when John Winn, chief program officer for the National Math and Science Initiative, said if the U.S doubles it efforts in education, it would take decades to catch up to Hong Kong students in math. This statement is troubling for me. When is the United States going to double it efforts to catch our students up to Hong Kong? We are being outperformed, and I hope the United States feels some urgency to promote, enhance, and reform our education system to meet the skills necessary for the 21st century.