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South Korea Goes For A Repeat In 2015

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Korea

NJ MED’s First 2015 Quarter Report of the World Top 20 Poll, projects South Korea to be crowned as the top country in education again.

NJ MED released its first quarterly report of the world’s best education systems this week. And the World Top 20 Poll’s number one ranked country in education last year, South Korea, was selected number one, and is projected to retain its title as the most educated country on the planet in 2015.

The annual poll’s first quarter report is a projection of which countries will end up as the top 20 education systems, out of 209 nations, at the end of each year. The first quarterly poll rankings are calculated from last year’s results from 2 of the world’s most prestigious international education polls ranking systems (Pearson/ Economist Intelligence Unit and MBC TIMES) and NJ MED’s final poll results.

The Chosen One

This year’s choice for number one South Korea was projected to finish number 3 last year in the World ranking Poll, behind the number one 2013 Poll winner Japan and number two, the United Kingdom.  South Korea, however, overtook both countries in last year’s final rankings, and became the number one ranked education system in the world in 2014, and now hopes to become the first two-time World Top 20 Poll winner.

Albert Mitchell II, NJ MED’s CEO, said “Last year, we used government’s spending on education and a public opinion poll to select who’d constitute our final top 20 ranked countries. This year, we have decided to use a more accurate approach to project; which countries could reach the final rankings. By, focusing on the previous year’s results, using 3 international poll results to start the year, and allow educators, teachers, parents and students to select which country, they believe, has the best education system, in our second quarter rankings.”

2015 World Top 20 Education Poll

NJ MED’s last year’s first quarterly report had 15 of the top 20 nations ranked in the final poll. With five nations – Hong Kong, Iceland, Spain, Switzerland and Slovenia- breaking into the final rankings. This year’s poll rankings will start with 4 new countries, hoping to reach the final top 20 rankings on December 31, 2015.

Here is the First Quarterly Report Rankings for NJ MED”s 2015 World Top 20 Education Poll:

1. South Korea (59) Last Year Finish: 1 Last Year Projected: 3
2. Japan (55) Last Year Finish: 2 Last Year Projected: 1
3. Singapore (51) Last Year Finish: 4 Last Year Projected: 11
4. Finland (48) Last Year Finish: 9 Last Year Projected: 4
5. UK (48) Last Year Finish: 3 Last Year Projected: 2
6. Hong Kong (43) Last Year Finish: 13 Last Year Projected: NR
7. Netherlands (42) Last Year Finish: 6 Last Year Projected: 5
8. Canada (41) Last Year Finish: 5 Last Year Projected: 9
9. Denmark (29) Last Year Finish: 11 Last Year Projected: 7
10. Germany (28) Last Year Finish: 8 Last Year Projected: 18
11. Ireland (28) Last Year Finish: 15 Last Year Projected: 13
12. Russia (23) Last Year Finish: 7 Last Year Projected: 12
13. New Zealand (18) Last Year Finish: NR Last Year Projected: 14
14. Poland (18) Last Year Finish: NR Last Year Projected: NR
15. Switzerland (16) Last Year Finish: 18 Last Year Projected: NR
16. Israel (15) Last Year Finish: 10 Last Year Projected: 15
17. Australia (14) Last Year Finish: NR Last Year Projected: NR
18. USA (12) Last Year Finish: 20 Last Year Projected: 10
19. China (9) Last Year Finish: 12 Last Year Projected: 17
20. Belgium (8) Last Year Finish: NR Last Year Projected: 8

South Korea Capture Title as World Best Educated Country

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South Korea overtakes Japan in the NJ MED’s Annual World Top 20 Education Poll that monitors nation’s education systems from early-childhood enrollment to college graduation rates.

Three of the top five ranked nations are from Asia (South Korea, Japan and Singapore), with Europe being represented by the United Kingdom at number 3, and Canada representing North America, rounding out the top 5 at number five.

South Korea secured the top spot by only one point over last year’s winner Japan and maybe hard to takedown in 2015.

Here is the result of NJ MED’s World Top 20 Poll’s rankings.

1. South Korea: PTS: 72 Last Year Ranking: 2 Population: 50,423,955

To compete in today’s global economy. Nations must invest in education and few countries are more invested than in this department than South Korea; whose parents spend 15% of their annual income on education, tutoring and supplemental education materials. South Korea’s return on their investment is bearing fruit, by improving at early-childhood enrollment boosting them ahead of Japan in this year’s poll. South Korea faces legitimate questions about how their students can maintain such a rigorous pace, with their high primary education test scores in math, reading and science; an excellent secondary graduation rate and, of course, the world’s highest post-secondary completion rate at 66%. South Korea’s plan to go 100% digital this year, and have textbooks in all of their schools accessible from a computer, tablet or phone, would put an awful lot of distance between them and many other nations, but at what psychological cost to their students?

2. Japan: PTS: 71   Last Year Ranking:  1    Population: 127,070,000

Japan dropped to number two in this year’s poll and look to improve last year’s performance. It is hard to imagine Japan falling past the top two spots, however, the greater question now is whether Japan elects to increase their investment in early-childhood education. Despite displaying top performances in proficiency, reading, math and science in primary and secondary levels and having the world’s second highest college graduation rate (59%), it was also widely assumed that Japan’s high school graduation rates would be better (ranked 7th in the world). Even though it’s highly unlikely Japan will drop further down the poll, the country needs to reevaluate their thinking in two key areas, as they seek to regain the title as the World’s Best Educated Country.

3. The United Kingdom (UK): PTS: 58   Last Year Ranking: 3   Population:  64,105,654

The UK’ ranking remains the same from last year’s finish, but some of the country’s top education leaders are concerned that after years of improvement in secondary student levels are declining, and now is in danger of going into reverse. The Country’s Department of Education believes they are well-suited to address the problem, starting with their plan to recruit 17,500 new math and physics teachers over the next five years to increase standards. Obviously, if the UK hopes to advance in the rankings, they must improve their secondary levels, which was the only area, their nation finished out of the top 10 (number 15th).

4. Singapore: PTS: 52 Last Year Ranking: 4   Population:  5,469,700

Singapore continues to show they’re a force at the primary and secondary education levels, and show flashes of being capable of earning the top spot in the poll. Adding better ranking points from early-childhood enrollments and high school graduation rates seems like the logical choice. The poll’s ranking system is still won or lost at the five education levels, but if Singapore a small country with fewer students to make progress with; spent less than 4% of its GDP on education. Their opportunity to move-up in the rankings will lie with their willingness to spend more.

5. Canada: PTS: 50   Last Year Ranking: 7   Population:  35,675,834

Canada’s success in education continues to grow, by moving up two spots from last year’s poll. Canada’s improvement in high school graduation rates is where the boost came (23rd to 14th). The next move for the country, is improving its early-childhood learning and skills development to help prevent over 20% of Canadian children entering school with learning delays, behavioral problems or other challenges. Canada’s reputation of having grit and go get it attitude shows they should make the upgrade in early-childhood education.

6. Netherlands: PTS: 50 Last Year Ranking: 8       Population:  16,884,100

The Netherlands clearly made, progress in this year’s poll, especially at improved high school graduation rates, but if the Netherlands is to advance higher in the poll rankings, they have to continue to invest in their early-childhood education policies aimed at “groups at risk”, which are children that have a migrant background, language deficits, or have parents with lower educational qualifications. Given the fact they only trail Europe’s Best Educated Country by eight points, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Netherlands achieving that gold next year.

7. Russia: PTS: 44 Last Year Ranking: 5     Population:   146,300,000

For all the concerns about Russia’s economic issues, the biggest impact may be felt on reduce investment in education. Given the country only spends 5% of its GDP on education, Russia, like many other nations, spends less on early-childhood education, which explains their drop in the poll’s rankings. With the World’s 3rd highest college completion rate (57%), it’s hard to predict, if they will have the capacity of remaining in the poll’s top 10 rankings. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to count Russia out.

8. Germany: PTS: 41 Last Year Ranking: 15       Population:  80,783,000

Germany has the economic resources to compete as one of the world’s best education systems, but lack post-secondary graduation rates to make a leap into the poll’s top 3. Advancing seven places from last year’s poll rankings, demonstrates a dynamic capability to become Europe’s best educated country to complement their increase in international high school graduation rankings from 14 to number 3. Germany led Europe in this category, which could pay immediate dividends in improving their post-secondary graduation rates for this year’s final poll ranking.

9. Finland: PTS: 41 Last Year Ranking: 6     Population:  5,472,421

Finland has dropped-three places from last year’s poll, but it would be a huge mistake to assume their education system has gotten worse. Their education quality as measured, by international data may have not changed at all, but the introduction of other nation’s education systems that focus on taking tests has made Finland results appear worse than they really are. However, if they hope to regain their position, developing a more robust early-childhood education system could help their cause.

10. Israel: PTS: 36 Last Year Ranking: 10       Population:  8,281,900

Israel has the highest standard of education in the Middle-East, and maintains their world ranking at number 10. With a moderate decline in higher education completion rates and with Israel’s population growth might be their biggest challenge to move-up the rankings. Currently, Israel spends 5.9 of their GDP on education, second highest among nations in the top 10, but if they want to challenge for a top 5 spot, they would be best served focusing on investing in early-childhood and at the primary education grade levels.

11. Denmark: PTS: 35 Last Year Ranking: 16        Population:  5,655,750

Finishing number 11 in this year’s poll, Denmark elevated five spots, and if they could have improved their secondary and post-secondary levels would have pushed them into the top 10. Denmark invests more in education than any country in the Top 20 Poll rankings, and boasts one of the world’s best early-childhood learning environments, and offers free higher education for its students. Improving their secondary and post-secondary completion rates is doable, and would make sense, as well as, increasing the number of primary students’ math, reading and science levels. Denmark has Europe’s most potential and matches up well with any Asian nation’s education system.

12. China: PTS: 33 Last Year Ranking:  11   Population: 1,367,510,000

As the world’s largest populated country, China has a lot of flexibility, including potentially making a top 10 spot finish. A major challenge is reaching their rural population, and providing them with quality teachers and schools. China also has to concentrate on upgrading their early-childhood education system; with 100 Million children under the age of six, only 6% of them have, access to high quality early childhood education. Since, 2010 China’s Government has developed a new policy and committed resources to address the problem, now they are awaiting those outcomes.

13. Hong Kong: PTS: 33   Last Year Ranking: NR        Population: 7,234,800

After, major protest in 2012, over the Government’s proposed new education curriculum, it will be launched this year. The old “saying that don’t fix it if it’s not broken”, then why is Hong Kong trying to fix-it? Hong Kong has finished behind mainland China in this year’s global rankings. With more data available in early-childhood and upper-secondary education levels, Hong Kong’s ranking could be much higher. Their primary and secondary results show there teachers and school’s capabilities. If the Government’s new philosophies, is not counterproductive Hong Kong, will remain an elite educated country.

14. Norway: PTS: 32 Last Year Ranking: 13     Population: 5,156,450

Norway compares well with other nations in upper-secondary and especially in early-childhood education, but in the primary and lower-secondary levels they are struggling. None of their 4th and 8th grade proficiency levels in math, reading and science finished in the top 10 in these categories. The Norwegian education system is well funded, and will probably remain a middle ranked country in global rankings, until their 10 and 14 year olds testing results improve.

15. Ireland: PTS: 32 Last Year Ranking:  9            Population:  4,609,600

Blame Ireland all you would like for falling six-places in this year’s ranking, but their decline isn’t based on their performances; it’s based more on other nation’s catching up. Ireland has the world’s sixth highest college graduation rate, but saw their high school graduation rate ranking drop, five spots from last year. Ireland also must start to address early-childhood education, where over 40% of children that live in urban disadvantaged areas, who are most at risk of not succeeding in education, lack adequate schools and teachers. Ireland’s education system has been more willing than most European nations to gamble on improving higher education but may now need to focus on lower levels.

16. Iceland:  PTS: 32   Last Year Ranking: 27              Population:  328,170

Iceland is the smallest populated country in the rankings, but invests more of its GDP (per-capita) on education, than any other nations in the global rankings. Iceland investment has paid off by moving from 27th last year, to number 16th this year. Iceland ranks number six in early-childhood enrollments and number four in high school completion rates, but don’t be surprised if they remain a top 20 ranked nation, and get an opportunity to advance even higher next year. Adding a more proficient primary reading, math and science level could even help turn Iceland’s potential into a top 10 finisher.

17. Spain: PTS: 29 Last Year Ranking: 25   Population:  46,507,760

Spain leaps into the World Ranking. Spain advances five places from last year, with an increase in high school graduation rates – 80% to 93%. Despite their success, Spain still has the world’s highest youth unemployment rate 53%. Spain’s next step will require improving their primary test scores, which have been relatively low in reading, and link to why it’s much harder for students to develop the marketable skill set to secure a job. Spain’s struggle at the primary levels has been their downfall, but it is also their starting point for tangible improvement.

18. Switzerland: PTS: 29 Last Year Ranking:  22   Population:  8,211,700

Missing results cost Switzerland a top 10 finish in this year’s poll ranking. Despite moving into the top 20, Switzerland were less competitive at early-childhood enrollments and lower-primary levels. Providing more focus on the upper-primary and secondary levels seems to be a priority for the Switzerland education system, however, especially children with low socio-economic or immigration backgrounds seems to hurt those results. Switzerland is a viable contender for a top 10 ranking, but must improve access for these groups of children, if they hope to attain that goal.

19. Slovenia: PTS: 29 Last Year Ranking: 21     Population:  2,065,208

The Slovenia’s early-childhood and high school education levels have been good enough to make them competitive, but the lack of a higher college completion rates, limits the country’s upside and future opportunity to break into the Poll’s top 10. Slovenia’s new immigration policies promise to boost education achievement for all their students, who climb the ladder towards higher education, which will make them, a nation to contend for a top 20 spot each year.

20. United States of America (USA): PTS: 28 Last Year Ranking: 18   Population: 320,132,000

The US retains its Top 20 ranking and provides evidence that other nations are becoming more invested in education. With the US falling two spots from last year’s rankings, the US again failed to make progress in early-childhood enrollments and high school completion rates, which explains why. Given the resource the country has, re-structuring of both their low performing levels, the US can reverse their fortune against dropping out of the global rankings, and moving up to a top 15 finish.

Japan holds onto a One Point Lead over South Korea as the World’s Best Education System

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The World Champs

South Korea committed to be the World’s Best Educated Country; But Japan refuses to give-up that title

The 2014 World Top 20 Poll 3rd Quarter Report was released this week, with the two

best ranking nations from last year’s poll set to face off for this year’s top spot. Japan has endured and emerged as the World’s Best education system for the last 19 months, but South Korea stands strong to overcome them this year, by reducing Japan’s lead from 10 points to only one.

South Korea began this year in third place, behind both Japan and the United Kingdom (UK), and fell 19 points from the lead, but by the end of the third quarter poll report it saw a new-found gain in educating 3 and 4 year olds that secured a move into the top 20 ranking for early-childhood enrollment.

Japan, on the other hand, has dropped fourteen points from last year, and seen a decrease in the number of children educated from 3 and 4 year olds, 97% to 86%. The impact has brought them back to the pack, with the UK, Canada and the Netherlands, inching within 11 and 20 points.

Both Japan and South Korea have looked convincing in secondary-education, but both have dropped in the rankings from 2nd and 3rd, to 7th and 12th in high school graduation rates. They now have to trust in the results of their proficiency levels from 9 to 14 year olds to decide this year’s winner for the world’s best education system.

Comparing Japan and South Korea’s Education Approach

Education is everything in South Korea, from their social status to their marriage prospects to their job is determined by where they went to college. South Korean parents spend more on education (15% of their gross national product) than any other nation. Their children school days start at 9 AM and end at 5 PM, and most go to extra class until 10 PM. (READ MORE)

In Japan, education itself is based on standardized testing. Children in Japan need to take entrance examinations to enter public high school or college. Students attend school from 8:30 AM to 3 PM, however, children are expected to be at school 1 to 2 hours before it starts, and attend after-school programs until 5 PM. (READ MORE)

So Who Will Be NUMBER ONE December 31th

Rightly favourites to remain number one, Japan, they have all the ingredients required to find a way through a standardize testing system to outperform every nation on the planet. However, South Korea has shown they are better at testing, yet it may not be enough.

Who Do You Think Wins?

Will Japan Rule the World Again in Education in 2014?

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Japan

Japan tops World Top 20 Education pre- poll ranking for 2014.

 

JAPAN 1

The World Top 20 Education Poll’s official 2014 rankings won’t start until June, but the poll’s publisher NJ MED, wanted to start with a fresh start, and allow students, teachers and parents worldwide to participate in help predicting who should be ranked in the top 20.

Japan’s education system outperformed 190 other nations last year, in NJ MED’s first ever ranking of countries education systems, based on five developmental levels for students, starting with early-childhood enrollments, international test scores in reading, math and science for primary education, teenage high school completion rates, and post secondary college graduations.

Japan edged out second place South Korea by 10 points and the world’s perceived number one country in education, Finland, by 39 points in last year poll. This year countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States may move up in the ranks.

The World Top 20 Education ranking system’s new pre-poll format adds another dimension to the most accurate measure of a nation’s educational level. With a public selection process and weighting in the amount a country invests in education, the final poll is going to look quite different.

INDIA SCHOOLS  With a country, like India, which won the online international students, teachers and parents vote, was not enough to make the World Top 20 Poll’s first quarter rankings.

(First –Quarter Rankings of the World’s Best Education System)

1. Japan

Japan’s education system was ranked number one in last year’s World Top 20 Education Poll, with 87 points. Japan also ranked in the top 5 in four of five educational developmental levels – 3rd and 4th in primary education proficiency scores, and 2nd in both high school and college completion rates. They spend $10,596 annually to educate each student, and 5.5% of their GDP on national education.

Power Ranking Score of 96

Related Content: World Top 20  

2. The United Kingdom (England)

Last year, the UK finished third in the World Top 20 Education Poll. They’ve moved up one spot in the first quarter rankings for this year. Mainly, because their country invests more in education then South Korea, who was the runner-up in last year’s poll. The UK spends 4.5% of their national wealth on education and an above international average of $10, 878, per student annually.

Power Ranking Score of 81

3. South Korea

England has a slight edge over South Korea for the second spot in the World Top 20 Education Poll’s   pre-poll predictions. But the gap between the UK and Korea is slim. South Korea’s success in last year’s poll included finishing first in two educational developmental levels – primary education for students 5 to 10 year olds and college completion rates. Their success in spending less and getting more does not translate to a country’s overall investment in education. South Korea spends the international average amount of $8, 198 per student annually and 3.3% of its GDP on education. Which effects their point total in the pre-poll rankings.

Power Ranking Score of 77

Related Content: Last Year Poll

4. Finland

The Finland education system, is believed to be the best in the world by many educators. But in reality, their student’s results are average above primary education. That was reflected by them only ranking sixth overall in last year’s World Top 20 Poll. They’ve advanced two places in this year’s pre-poll rankings. With Finland investing 4.0% of their nation’s GDP on education, and their commitment to having the world’s best teachers, in addition, to spending a respectable $10.157 per student annually.

Power Ranking Score of 69

5. Netherlands

When projecting for 2014, we have to be careful to not put too much stock in last year’s rankings. The Netherlands finished 8th and forty-one points behind first-place Japan, which certainly did not raise expectations for their country for this year. But the Netherlands’ spot in this poll is more about where they are going as a nation rather than, where they’ve been. In analyzing their investment in education, Holland spends $11,439 a year to educate a student and uses 5.0% of its GDP on education.

Power Ranking Score of 68

6. Norway

Norway ended 2013 ranked number 13, but has moved up 7 spots in the first quarter rankings for 2014. Norway’s Government spends 6.8% of their nation’s GDP on education, the third highest amount among any country ranked in this poll. Their cost per student ($14,081), the second highest in the top 20 poll, certainly shows their investment in education, and should assure them a top 10 finish in this year 2014 final poll rankings.

Power Ranking Score of 67

7. Denmark

Coming off last year’s ranking in the World Top 20 Poll, as the 16th best education system, will make a hard-pressed to end 2014 in the top half of this year’s poll. Denmark, moves up 9 spots from last year’s rankings and will be in the mix to finish in the top 5, if their student outcomes can match the investment the country makes in education. Denmark spends 7.8% of its GDP, the most by any country in the top 20 poll. They also invest the third highest amount to educate their students, $12, 848, per year.

Power Ranking Score of 65

8. Belgium

Races up 6 spots to the number 8 ranking in the pre-poll. Can they keep their position in the finale poll rankings? Belgium seems to have all the ingredients to challenge for a top 10 finish. Their nation spends $11,028 a year to educate their students, financed by one of the three communities: Flemish, French and German-speaking. That accounts for 6 percent of their GDP. Belgium’s greatest challenge will be how well each of their communities progress despite the differences in language and culture.

Power Ranking Score of 59

Related Content: Spending GDP  

9. Canada
Despite finishing 7th in last year’s poll, Canada drops two spots in this year’s pre-poll rankings to number 9. Canada continues to climb the ladder in the world of academics and remain as a progressive nation. But like Belgium has a divided education system ran by provinces, with different structure and measurable outcomes. Nevertheless, the nation stands as one, with the countries overall investment in education at nearly 5 (4.9) percent of its GDP, and over $10,000 ($10,125) spend to educate each student.

Power Ranking Score of 57

10. USA

As one of the world’s richest nation, the US finished a disappointing 60 points behind first place Japan in last year poll rankings. Those results don’t reflect the amount that is invested in education per student ($15,171), which is the most in the poll and second highest in the world. That combined with 5.5% of the nation’s GDP allocated for education, demands better student outcomes. Will the US maintain its top 10 pre-poll ranking or fall back down to the bottom in the poll’s results?

Power Ranking Score of 55

11. Singapore

The number four ranked country in last year’s World Top 20 Poll, Singapore falls to number 11 in this year’s pre-poll selection. For now, Singapore is a good example of a school system that does quite well on performance but doesn’t reach the top because of disparities, on the amount they spend per student annually (estimated at$4,210) and with only 3% of their GDP going towards education.

Power Ranking Score of 53

Related Content: Singapore Education System 

12. Russia

Russia’s education system finished in the top 5 in last year’s poll. Like Singapore student performance isn’t an issue for Russia, but projecting how high they will reach in this year’s poll won’t be easy. They invest an above average of $9, 313 per student and spend almost 4% of their GDP on education. However, with recent social unrest in the country, it may be touch to repeat a top 5 finish in 2014 rankings.

Power Ranking Score of 53

Related Content: Russia unrest

13. Ireland
Another year, another challenge to make a Top 10 finish. After losing 4 spots in its pre-poll ranking, Ireland remains solid in its nation’s education commitment. Ireland spends 4.9% of its GDP on education and $10,685 per student annually; one of the highest in Europe. With the same Power Point Ranking as Singapore and Russia, Ireland may have an opportunity to end 2014, above both nations.

Power Ranking Score of 53

14. New Zealand

This Pacific island country finished 2013 three points short of having a top 10 finish. New Zealand invests 6.1% of their GDP in education, making it the fifth highest, among the nations ranked in the Top 20 Poll.  New Zealand also spends $8,192 per year to educate their students, and there’s little doubt that their climb to a top 10 finish can continue in 2014.

Power Ranking Score of 49

15. Israel

As mentioned with Singapore, Russia and Ireland even-up, the gap in a Top 10 finish in last year’s ranking to falling out of this year’s Top 10 ranking is very small. For now, Singapore, Russia and Ireland are slightly ahead of Israel in making it back up. Despite investing nearly 6% (5.9%) of its GDP on education, the cost per student of $6,537, is the deciding factor between the nations.

Power Ranking Score of 48

16. France

France finished 2013 ranked number 19, and have moved up 3 spots in this year’s pre-selection poll. France also was ranked number one last year in early-childhood enrollment with ever child under-4 required to attend school. With the nation spending $10,182 to educate each student and 5.6% of its GDP on education, we should expect them to even finish higher in the World Top 20 finale poll ranking in December.

Power Ranking Score of 46

17. China

Japan is the early favorite to win the 2014 World Top 20 Poll, as the country with the best education system, but South Korea and Singapore, two other Asian countries aren’t far behind. China, however, quest to close the gap is widening. China finished 42 points behind Japan last year, and 61 points behind them in the pre-selection poll. China invests 4.3% of its GDP on education and spends an estimated $8,611 per student annually. Their primary education tests scores in international ranking are above average, but China’s ability to manage the vast size of its country’s rural areas will define how high it can climb in the World Top 20 Poll.

Power Ranking Score of 35

18. Germany

Germany’s education system is ranked the tenth best in Europe, two spots lower than last year’s ranking. With Germany investing 4.5% of its GDP on education and spending an estimated $9,299, the country should rank higher in the poll.

Power Ranking Score of 33

Related Content: currency rates 

19. Portugal

With Portugal having the highest high school (secondary) completion rate in last years poll, the door is open for Portugal to make a run at moving up the 2014 World Top 20 final poll rankings. Despite spending less than the average European country per student annually $8,009, Portugal invests 5.2% of its GDP on education, which exceeds most of the countries ranked ahead of them.

Power Ranking Score of 32

20. Sweden

The new comers to the World Top 20 Poll, Sweden spends the sixth highest amount to educate their students annually ($11,734), of the countries selected in the poll, and more impressively invests 6.6% of its GDP on education, which is the fourth highest. Just like the other Scandinavia countries in the poll – Finland, Norway and Denmark – Sweden has put stock in building a strong education foundation for their nation.

Power Ranking Score of 32

See the complete poll HERE

Its Official Japan has the World Best Education System in 2013

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Japan 1
Japan No. 1

The World Top 20 Education Poll first annual winner is: Japan. Who led all four quarters this year, with 87 points; followed by South Korea, the UK, Singapore, Russia and a distance six, the pre-poll favors Finland.

Japan overwhelmingly wins over 200 countries with the best education system structure for students 3 to 25. Which, shocks the world, with Finland being, perceived has the world best for the last half-decade.

Numbers don’t lie, they may not tell the whole story, but, they cannot be denied. Japan outperformed Finland in all 5 major educational development areas. Early-Childhood enrollment (3 and 4 year old), Japan ranks 7th overall internationally compared to Finland that does not offer early-childhood education.

The most shocking news was Japan also out performed Finland in student reading, math and science scores in primary education at the 4th grade (8-9 year old) and 8th grade (12-14 year old) levels. Japan also had higher high school graduation rates (17 to 19 year old) 96% to 93%, and college graduation rates (18 to 25 year old) 57% to 39%.

Other surprises in the 2013 Poll, was how well some countries outperformed others that spend more per student. The United States had the highest per cost per student ($15,172) but ranked 18th; countries like Estonia 17th ($6,126), Finland 6th ($10,157) and even first place Japan spends less ($10,596) per student.

Next year’s Poll 2014, indicates Japan and other Asian nations rankings positions will be strong or even better, based on this year’s OECD PISA test results.

As we await, the results from 4 other international education sources (the  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS); Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and Progress in International Reading Study (PIRLS), and confirmed the data with over 100 nations for next year.

Let’s congratulate Japan as the winner for 2013.

The World Top 20 Poll mission is to assure Every Child is afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential. If you would like to learn more, or join the campaign’s mission please visit their website at www.worldtop20.org , and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WorldTop20