Smartest kid in the world

In The Smartest Kids in the World, Amanda Ripley investigates what makes some countries’ education systems so successful. In Finland, teachers are trained like elite professionals—only 20% of applicants get accepted, and they’re given the freedom to teach their way. In South Korea, intense competition drives students to study up to 15 hours a day, but it comes with high emotional stress. And in Poland, simple reforms, like delaying academic tracking, leveled the playing field and boosted results across the board. But here’s what really surprised me: the secret to great education isn’t tech, fancy buildings, or endless extracurriculars. It’s about high expectations, parental support at home, and trust in great teachers. So, if you’re wondering how we can change our approach to help kids excel, this book offers a blueprint from the world’s top education systems.”