Cross-National Mathematics Achievement Results and Observations Concerning Problem Solving and Creativity of American and Japanese Students

This report deals with U.S.-Japan cross-national mathematics achievement results and problem solving and creativity of U.S. and Japanese students. It addresses U.S. misconceptions about Japanese mathematics education and responds to “explanations” for low U.S. mathematics achievement. Various factors accounting for superior Japanese achievement are presented and discussed, including social, cultural, and mathematical education factors such as the “open approach” to teaching. U.S.-Japan cross-national research results on students’ problem solving behaviors are also reported. The paper concludes with some observations concerning what can be learned from the Japanese.