{"title":"Claire Cousineau","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the world of Claire Cousineau, an esteemed author celebrated for her insightful contributions to the realm of Education \u0026amp; Reference. Her works, including the notable title \u003cem\u003eThe Highest Exam\u003c\/em\u003e, are designed to enlighten readers and spark curiosity across a broad range of educational topics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Cousineau has a knack for distilling complex concepts into engaging and easily digestible narratives, making her books a valuable resource for students and professionals alike. Whether you are preparing for an exam, seeking to deepen your knowledge, or simply eager to expand your educational horizons, Claire Cousineau's meticulously researched and expertly written texts serve as the perfect guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive into her collection today and discover a wealth of information that will both inform and inspire you on your learning journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-highest-exam-by-claire-cousineau-9780674295391","title":"The Highest Exam","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCombining personal narratives with decades of research, a vivid account of how the \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e—China's high-stakes college admissions test—shapes that society and influences education debates in the United States.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach year, more than ten million students across China pin their hopes on the \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e, the nationwide college entrance exam. Unlike in the United States, where standardised tests are just one factor, in China, college admission is determined entirely by \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e performance. It is no wonder the test has become a national obsession.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on extensive surveys, historical research, and economic analysis, and informed by Ruixue Jia and Hongbin Li's own experiences of the \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e gauntlet, \u003cem\u003eThe Highest Exam\u003c\/em\u003e reveals how China's education system functions as a centralised tournament. It explains why preparation for the \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e begins even before first grade—and why, given its importance for upward mobility, Chinese families are behaving rationally when they devote immense quantities of money and effort to acing the test. It shows how the exam system serves the needs of the Chinese Communist Party and drives much of the country's economic growth. It examines the \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e's far-reaching effects on Chinese society, as the exam's promise of meritocracy encourages citizens to focus on individual ability at the expense of considering socioeconomic inequalities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat's more, as the book makes clear, the \u003cem\u003egaokao\u003c\/em\u003e is now also shaping debates around education in the United States. As Chinese-American families bring the expectations of the highest exam with them, their calls for objective, transparent metrics in the education system increasingly clash with the more holistic measures of achievement used by American schools and universities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46871531978988,"sku":"9780674295391","price":70.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/1455793482428.jpg?v=1759883390"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/claire-cousineau.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}