Theorizing Shadow Education and Academic Success in East Asia

Shadow education is often misunderstood and viewed as an inequitable source of excessive household resources devoted to enhancing children’s academic success. This excellent book takes an in-depth examination of East Asian shadow education and shows how it is embedded in historical and cultural conceptions of family responsibility for instilling in their children a commitment to the value of academic learning. This is a must read book for its’ powerful message, especially today, when learning is being overshadowed by the price tag of gaining admission to a selective university rather than the value of learning and how it is encouraged and supported by Asian families. -- Barbara Schneider, John A. Hannah University Professor Michigan State University, USA It is a must read for anyone interested in theorizing shadow education and in understanding it’s role in East Asian educational success. -- Michael A. Peters, Distinguished Professor of Education, Beijing Normal University, China For decades researchers have attempted to uncover the 'secret' that explains East Asian students' academic success. Explanations have ranged from intensive mothering (e.g., Tiger moms), to culture, to the role of test-driven education systems. The authors of this book demystify the so-called magic that underpins students' success by illuminating the critical role of shadow education and placing it within the broader ecology of schooling. Readers of this book will find value in the practical descriptions of how shadow education is expressed (e.g., home-visit, internet-based, institutes), the forms of shadow education (e.g., cram schools, franchises), how and why students use tutoring (e.g., prepare for school learning), how shadow education varies (e.g., Singapore versus Taiwan), and the scale of shadow education. -- Janice Aurini, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, Canada ""This collection of essays and studies by scholars across East Asia have carefully examined the rise and place of Shadow Education through the examination lens of curriculum Studies and learning culture. And, the book clearly lays out that not only is Shadow Education firmly placed in the culture of many countries, but it has also contributed to the academic success of many Asian nations as measured by results on international tests and through the admiration of political leaders across the globe."" -- Michael McVey, Professor of College of Education, Eastern Michigan University, USA