U.S. Student Opportunities vs. Japanese

When comparing the opportunities of US students to those available to students in Japan, they vary greatly. Students in the US are given greater opportunities as far as participation in any given class is concerned. American students are actively involved in discussions, interactions and presentations, where the opposite is expected from students in Japan. American students are expected to interact, ask questions and participate in lectures. In Japan, however; students are pretty much expected to pay attention, take notes, answer questions only when asked and clarify any additional questions on their own time. As far as success is concerned, although the US spends more money per student than the Japanese do, students in Japan have out-scored American students across the board. The success that Japanese students have in Math and Science scores is possibly attributed to the cookie cutter curriculum that is taught in Japanese schools. I feel that the opportunities for learning to be a successful test taker in Japan are greater than in America, but US students have a greater opportunity to develop their individuality. Overall, I would say that the American school system offers greater opportunities than the Japanese.