School choice helps poor performing schools in Tokyo

The problem of declining performance by Japan's students is much more serious than generally thought, according to Hideo Wakatsuki, superintendent of the board of education of Shinagawa City, Tokyo. Many junior high students cannot do basic arithmetic, like multiplication and fractional calculations. To remedy poor performance, Shinagawa City has introduced a system that allows students and their parents to choose which elementary and junior high schools to attend. This has led to notable gains at all elementary and junior high schools in Shinagawa City, demonstrated by the results of achievement tests. Read Wakatsuki's opinion on school choice at Chinadaily.com.cn