Japanese Government Policies in Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 2001 [EDUCATIONAL REFORM Q&A Q12]

QUESTION

What is the "early university entrance" system that has been much talked about in recent years?

Answer

The "early university entrance" system allows students at least 17 years old to enter universities without graduating from upper secondary schools if they demonstrate outstanding abilities in specific fields. Initially, early entrants under the former system were limited to those with particularly excellent qualities in mathematics and physics. But the latest law revision opened the system beyond mathematics and physics, allowing universities to select early entrants with outstanding qualities in fields specified by respective universities.

It has been pointed out that Japan's education policy in the past gave too much importance to the principle of equality. It is now deemed important to have education more geared toward developing individual abilities and aptitudes of children.

In its second recommendation report in June 1997, the Central Council for Education proposed the flexible administration of the school system for introducing a special measure concerning the minimum age of entrance into universities to facilitate exceptional treatment of children gifted with rare abilities. In accordance with the council's recommendation, in July of the same year, the school system was modified to allow children with outstanding qualities in mathematics or physics to enter universities after at least two years at higher secondary schools.

With the purpose of further promoting education geared toward developing individual abilities and aptitudes of children, the School Education Law was revised in July 2001 to open the way to early university entrance for those with outstanding qualities in fields specified by universities of admission other than mathematics and physics. The revision was made applicable beginning with entrants in April 2002.

Not every university in Japan can utilize the early entrance system. To be qualified to use the system, universities must have graduate schools that conduct education and research in academic fields where early entrants are supposed to have outstanding qualities. Qualified universities must also have firm track records of education and research, and instruction systems suitable to educate early entrants with particularly excellent qualities in specific fields.

The following are the examination papers actually set by Chiba University for applicants under the early entrance system. Give it a try!

- This summer, the U.S. Martian probe, the Mars Pathfinder, landed on the surface of Mars, sending back to the Earth the information that the surface of Mars used to be covered with water. Supposing this information is correct, describe the causes of or reasons for the disappearance of the great quantity of water from the Martian surface. Examine the issue from various angles freely, but provide logical explanations about the possible causes or reasons by discussing the grounds and validity of your thoughts. For example, one way to address the issue may be to compare what happened on Mars with the fact that the Earth still has a large quantity of water on its surface. It is also meaningful to describe how to ascertain the validity of your hypothetical thoughts on the Earth. If you do not know figures or numbers deemed necessary, you may consult documents and materials stored in the examination room or you can use your own calculations and discussions on the basis of your assumptions within reasonable bounds. (FY1998)

- Without giving much thought, we casually feel that we understand what the temperature is from everyday experiences of having or touching something "hot" or "cold" since our childhood. Come to think of it, however, it may be that we really do not know what the temperature really is.

When we heat water and measure its temperature with the alcohol thermometer, we know that it is "hot." Then, when we say that we use the alcohol thermometer to measure the temperature, what is really being measured? Thinking this way, step by step, helps us come to understand what the temperature is.

There are also some things that defy our knowing from everyday experiences, whether they have or do not have a temperature, like the atmospheric temperature of a planet that does not have the air around it. To really understand these and other things, it seems we need to have a deeper understanding of what temperature is.

What really is temperature? Think about it and explain what you think in a way that allows your friends to fully understand it. In considering the meaning of temperature, you may also describe how and where you do not understand what temperature is.

You may also list phenomena and things that you think are helpful in understanding what temperature is, with the reasons why you think so. (FY1999)


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