mulerider wrote:
roro wrote:
ETA: what data is there to back up that American students are "way ahead" in feeling good about themselves?  Is there a global confidence index or something?

There was a recent study in which students from several countries were asked about their math abilities and then given a math test. US students ranked near (or at) the top on the ranking of self-perceived excellence in math. They ranked near the bottom on actual math test scores.  I believe there have been some similar studies published, as well. I don't have time to track down the references right now (staff meeting sucked up a big chunk of my daily allotted goofing off time for today), but they are probably not hard to find.

I recall a reference to that study in a book by Carl Sagan.  However, I think there is a marked difference between confidence in abilities and confidence in self.  For example, I feel average/normal in mathematical abilities, but my SAT and ACT math percentiles are far above average.  I think that I'm an excellent person and feel good about myself, and that's a different confidence from confidence in X ability.


"The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas."

-Carl Sagan

"Just fire up a new window in your web browser for a moment and type in the word 'healing' under Google Images...see what I mean?  It's all colors, lights, hands butterflies, beatific expressions...

the reality of healing any living system is pain, swelling, itching, aches, exhaustion, and chaos."

-Gwyneth

SMTOWN ~~~ Shawol
Last Edited By: Jan 4 12 4:51 PM. Edited 1 times.