Singapore's City Upon a Hill
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Singapore's City Upon a Hill
By Anthony Mullen on April 16, 2010 3:28 PM |
Massachusetts
Someplace near where the pilgrims first landed.
Quite a few critics of the American system of education are kept busy seeking "A City Upon a Hill" on foreign shores. One such country is Singapore. After all, Singaporean students rank 1st in the world in mathematics on the latest TIMSS (U.S. students rank 16th) and Singapore boasts a nation of high performing students and excellent schools. Could Singapore be the City Upon a Hill that Puritan leader John Winthrop described while giving a speech aboard the ship Arbelle en route to the Massachusetts Bat Colony? Maybe. But Winthrop was careful to remind his fellow pilgrims that such a city would be carefully watched by "the eyes of all people" and warned of the accusation of hypocrisy should his weary and seasick flock not practice what was taught in the Good Book.Singapore will be hosting a major education conference in September and has invited distinguished scholars and teachers from throughout the world to share ideas and presentations. One such distinguished teacher is Susan Elliot, the 2009 Colorado State Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for the 2009 National Teacher of the Year (I may have pulled the sword from the stone but Susan will always best me as Lancelot did Arthur).
Susan Elliot has spent three decades in education and taught thousands of students. She is bright, articulate, and has a great sense of humor. She teaches social studies and history to mainstream and hearing-impaired students-all in the same classroom. Her unique ability to teach social studies and history to both "regular" and hearing-impaired students in the same classroom is a remarkable display of master teaching. Susan is the perfect educator to help represent America's teachers and deserves a key to this Asian City Upon a Hill.
Susan was excited about traveling to Singapore and sharing her ideas and experiences about methods that could develop the potential of all students to become independent, self-supporting and contributing members of society. And then came her dismissal.
Once the Singapore education officials discovered that Susan was hearing-impaired, they retracted her invitation. The so-called discovery and subsequent retraction of her invitation was an act of disingenuous statesmanship because the Singapore education officials knew all along that Susan was deaf. The official in charge of inviting and then disinviting Susan attributes the mistake to miscommunication. Wait a minute. Singapore is renowned for its academic prowess; surely the highly educated official could read a simple biography that very clearly noted Susan was hearing-impaired. The Singapore education system may be perched on a higher hill than the American system but something is not quite right.
Susan Elliot sent a few emails to Singaporean education officials, hoping the "miscommunication" was itself a miscommunication and the whole matter an innocent mistake. She had to defend her disability and remind conference officials that America's teachers and children are a diverse lot.
How did the Singapore officials respond? Susan was wished a successful future but remains persona non grata at the conference.
The Singapore system of education may be the envy of TIMSS groupies, and from a distance the city appears brightly lit in the night sky. But a peek behind the city walls reveals a flawed and ignorant culture of education.
Maybe, just maybe, Americans came in 16th place on the TIMSS because we are willing to carry a much heavier load. A weight gladly held by teachers such as Susan Elliot.
As I glance out at the cold Atlantic Ocean I think about the pilgrims huddled on a small ship, listening to John Winthrop preach about what it takes to create a City Upon a Hill. Singaporean education officials should heed Winthrop's warning, lest their country be viewed as hypocrites in "the eyes of all people."
Oh, by the way, if any teacher would like to email the education official who disinvited one of America's top teachers, please send a message to Ms. Lynn Koh.
Her email is: [email protected]http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teacher_of_the_year/2010/04/singapores_city_upon_a_hill.html
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American's education create lots of classroom killing...i thing moving toward american way of education could end up singapore having a killing masscarce somewhere in ACS or RI. Asian, especailly the chinese and indian are naturally born with a good calculative mind , that is why they are top financial bankers and auditors, and that is also why our financial service sector are moving up. Just to remind all that even top american banks are distrusting their own american way of education, it create a killing zone as big as the ponzi scheme, and that is also why the current Chief in Citi bank is an Indian.
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Originally posted by angel7030:
American's education create lots of classroom killing...i thing moving toward american way of education could end up singapore having a killing masscarce somewhere in ACS or RI. Asian, especailly the chinese and indian are naturally born with a good calculative mind , that is why they are top financial bankers and auditors, and that is also why our financial service sector are moving up. Just to remind all that even top american banks are distrusting their own american way of education, it create a killing zone as big as the ponzi scheme, and that is also why the current Chief in Citi bank is an Indian.
what the Fuck do u know about American education..........?Did u complete a higher learning in Taiwan or Singapore? Are you suddenly an expert in the field of Education ? or Teaching profession?
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Susan Elliot has spent three decades in education and taught thousands of students. She is
bright, articulate, and has a great sense of humor. She teaches social studies and history to
mainstream and hearing-impaired students-all in the same classroom. Her unique ability to
teach social studies and history to both "regular" and hearing-impaired students in the same
classroom is a remarkable display of master teaching.
Once the Singapore education officials discovered that Susan was hearing-impaired, they
retracted her invitation. The so-called discovery and subsequent retraction of her invitation
was an act of disingenuous statesmanship because the Singapore education officials knew
all along that Susan was deaf.
To me, it is called discrimmination against the handicapped!
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Originally posted by angel7030:
American's education create lots of classroom killing...i thing moving toward american way of education could end up singapore having a killing masscarce somewhere in ACS or RI. Asian, especailly the chinese and indian are naturally born with a good calculative mind , that is why they are top financial bankers and auditors, and that is also why our financial service sector are moving up. Just to remind all that even top american banks are distrusting their own american way of education, it create a killing zone as big as the ponzi scheme, and that is also why the current Chief in Citi bank is an Indian.
India Needs to Be More Open to Foreign Funds: Singapore PMDate Submitted: Thu Apr 22, 2010
CHICAGO, IL - Asian countries, led by India and China, are emerging “strongly” from the economic downturn, Singapore’s Prime Minister said here, but emphasized that India needs to be more “open” to foreign investments for sustained growth.
Addressing the Chicago Council on Global Affairs here, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong said economies across the globe are rebounding and the world is no longer staring into an “abyss”.
“In Asia, the countries are emerging strongly led by China and India. Asia is on the move and barring a conflict or war, for at least several more decades Asia will continue to grow and develop and uplift the lives of billions of people,” Loong said April 15.
Pointing out that India is growing rapidly, Loong said for a sustained growth, the country will require “difficult liberalization and reforms” as well as massive infrastructure investments.
“India is well placed to be another major growth engine, provided it progressively frees up its economy.
It needs to become more transparent, open and more welcoming of foreign investments and of business in general,” he said, adding the country has an environment many Western firms are more comfortable with.
Loong termed China “a big part of the Asia story” but said it is in Beijing’s interest to show flexibility in its exchange rate.
“Now that the crisis is over, it is really in China’s own interest to have more flexibility in its exchange rate to avoid a showdown not only with America but with all its global partners,” he added.
While China is “assiduous and skillful in making friends”, it is “firm in defending its national interests,” Loong said, adding that China is still finding the “right tone” to engage the international community.
Terming America’s relation with China “the most important bilateral relation” in the world, Loong said currently the two nations are facing problems, particularly in regard to the exchange rate.
He further added that for Asia’s growth, it is vital that America has an active trade policy despite the protectionism mood and “lack of appetite in the Congress for free trade”. (PTI) -
Angel7030, care to elaborate on the above posting.
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At the end of the day the loss is still Singapore......
Those idiots working in the ministries can only stick to their agenda they can't deviate from the establishment of Singapore style teaching and testing. Anything outside the realm probably considered non main stream or not "real" education.......or worst still not "Good" enough for Singapore.
until now Sg govt continue to perceive handicapped as a burden instead as a resources for the island state. Any investment on disabilities continue to perceive as a drain of resources.
In fact Singaporean will always comes back for Singapore no matter where they stayed unlike some Taiwanese.
How many of our own talent has not been cultivated because the system discriminate those that appear different.....An Example……
Laurentia Tan Yen Yi (born 24 April 1979) is a United Kingdom-based Singaporean Paralympic equestrienne. Tan developed cerebral palsy and profound deafness after birth, and moved to the United Kingdom with her parents at the age of three. She took up horse riding at age of five years as a form of physiotherapy. She subsequently completed her A-levels at the Mary Hare Grammar School, a residential special school for the deaf, and graduated with an honours degree from Oxford Brookes University in hospitality management and tourism.
Any wonder why Singaporean wants to leave this place....
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Originally posted by CheckmateA1:
Angel7030, care to elaborate on the above posting.
Uncle if people quote "what the Fuck do u know about American education..........?"what is there to elaborate anymore...i will just walk off and have a great day.
People just simply dun except opinon to an extend that they can be so ungentlemen.
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Originally posted by angel7030:
Uncle if people quote "what the Fuck do u know about American education..........?"what is there to elaborate anymore...i will just walk off and have a great day.
People just simply dun except opinon to an extend that they can be so ungentlemen.
Auntie, still in Taiwan
got earthquake or not
i thought you thick skin one
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Originally posted by CheckmateA1:India Needs to Be More Open to Foreign Funds: Singapore PM
Date Submitted: Thu Apr 22, 2010
CHICAGO, IL - Asian countries, led by India and China, are emerging “strongly” from the economic downturn, Singapore’s Prime Minister said here, but emphasized that India needs to be more “open” to foreign investments for sustained growth.
Addressing the Chicago Council on Global Affairs here, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong said economies across the globe are rebounding and the world is no longer staring into an “abyss”.
“In Asia, the countries are emerging strongly led by China and India. Asia is on the move and barring a conflict or war, for at least several more decades Asia will continue to grow and develop and uplift the lives of billions of people,” Loong said April 15.
Pointing out that India is growing rapidly, Loong said for a sustained growth, the country will require “difficult liberalization and reforms” as well as massive infrastructure investments.
“India is well placed to be another major growth engine, provided it progressively frees up its economy.
It needs to become more transparent, open and more welcoming of foreign investments and of business in general,” he said, adding the country has an environment many Western firms are more comfortable with.
Loong termed China “a big part of the Asia story” but said it is in Beijing’s interest to show flexibility in its exchange rate.
“Now that the crisis is over, it is really in China’s own interest to have more flexibility in its exchange rate to avoid a showdown not only with America but with all its global partners,” he added.
While China is “assiduous and skillful in making friends”, it is “firm in defending its national interests,” Loong said, adding that China is still finding the “right tone” to engage the international community.
Terming America’s relation with China “the most important bilateral relation” in the world, Loong said currently the two nations are facing problems, particularly in regard to the exchange rate.
He further added that for Asia’s growth, it is vital that America has an active trade policy despite the protectionism mood and “lack of appetite in the Congress for free trade”. (PTI)
Anyway, here is my comment/contributionAs i said earlier, Chinese and Indian are more calculative people, and also more conservative in their approach to business. Basically, if you look at the recent US or the West financial crisis leading to today situation, do you still trust them?? as i said earlier, even the West citizens are not trusting their banks?? How on earth is India and china going to invest and be open to the west?? when the result already show, a big cheater is at play, and the recently Goldman Sach default further strenghten their distrust in the western markets.
Bearing in mind that China and India can self sustain themselve within their domestic market, and yet with a distrust in foreign banking, you think they are so stupid like our govt temasek and GIC who had invested so much and lost so much to the west. Ah Loong is there as an agent for the west, he, being Chinese (baba), an asian and a western trained banana skin guy who have invested so much in the west and worry that the west will further collapse is seeking India and China to put more funds into western economy and banks, and to the west, he is the right person.
But do you think China and India is going to listen to a loser who had put so much stake into the western hands and called them God of Capitalism? You got to be smart ya
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Errm... anyone bothered to follow the link to see that there is a part II of the story now? Singaporeans wrote to the organising committee and had the Chairman call up Susan and apologised to her personally. Still a mistake nevertheless, but at least we had the guts to own up and correct it.
Great news! The many caring and compassionate teachers and parents of Singapore's children have made their voice heard. Susan will be going to Singapore!
I would like to thank all the people who wrote to the education officials and helped to get Susan invited to Singapore. Teachers and parents share a universal understanding of right and wrong and have helped right a bad decision. Below is a very sincere email from the conference committee. I thank them for inviting Susan back to their wonderful country.
Dear Dr LimThank you for your feedback.
The withdrawal of our invitation to Ms Susan Elliot was a mistake on our part. It arose from our misunderstanding about the need for interpreters and her professional experience. The chairman of the Organising Committee has since contacted Ms Elliot and spoken to her personally to convey our sincere apologies. We should have clarified these matters before making the decision. Ms Elliot has accepted our apology and the Organising Committee is delighted that she will participate at the Teachers' Conference in September. We look forward to her contributions in making the Conference a success.
Ms Sucillia Sukiman
Secretary
Teachers' Conference 2010 Organising Committee -
Originally posted by CheckmateA1:
Auntie, still in Taiwan
got earthquake or not
i thought you thick skin one
Uncle, no earthquake but got typhoon, very nice to experience it here...u want anything?? -
Originally posted by angel7030:
Uncle, no earthquake but got typhoon, very nice to experience it here...u want anything??
Auntie, you "heng" got rich family to support youcountry side is the best place to stay
1995 went and personally witnessed, how the gangsters collect protection money in the town area
lye chee there harvested already
got flood or not
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Originally posted by CheckmateA1:
country side is the best place to stay1995 went and personally witnessed, how the gangsters collect protection money in the town area
Aiyo Uncle, u backdated liao, now gangster also go online liao, we pay thru zi tong card, but taiwan gangster are better than PAP leh, you got problem they come and help very fast, and for many years, the fee dun increase. -
Originally posted by angel7030:
Aiyo Uncle, u backdated liao, now gangster also go online liao, we pay thru zi tong card, but taiwan gangster are better than PAP leh, you got problem they come and help very fast, and for many years, the fee dun increase.
i orbit what