Civic education at the crossroads: Case study of Taiwan

The schooling system in Taiwan comprises 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high, 3 years of senior high school, and 4 years of college or university, of which the first nine are compulsory. Entry to senior high school and university is by means of a national examination system known as the Joint High School Entrance Examination (JHSEE) and the Joint College and University Entrance Examination (JCUEE). More than 93% of junior high graduates pass the JHSEE, and 67% of senior high graduates attend colleges and universities. Those who fail the examination may take other entrance examinations such as the Vocational School Entrance Examination or Junior College Entrance Examination, or go to "cram schools" to continue their study with the intention of retaking the next entrance examination. The examination system gives students, teachers, and parents long-term goals on which to focus and they are supportive of education.