What American Educators Can Learn from Mexico's Classrooms

Mexico's Secretary of Education Visits HGSE

Many students who study education in the United States wouldn't guess that innovative classroom technologies or financial incentives for school improvements are part of Mexico's education system. But in a recent visit to HGSE, Reyes Tamez Guerra, the secretary of education in Mexico, argued that the country offers a lot more to its students than one would think.

On November 18, Tamez Guerra spoke to students in Ford Foundation Professor Fernando Reimers' Education Policy Analysis and Research in Developing Countries course about the state of education in Mexico and its many changes.

Reimers invited Tamez Guerra to speak to students because of the challenges facing the nation as it develops a national education system. "You think of the U.S. education system in districts which can be large, but it is really nothing compared to the size of a national system," Reimers said.

Tamez Guerra, a prominent scientist who holds master's and doctoral degrees in immunology, was appointed to President Vincente Fox's cabinet in 2000. Although Tamez Guerra may seem an unlikely candidate for an education leadership role, he has already helped change Mexico's classrooms.

Students who met with Tamez Guerra were most impressed with two of the major advances happening in Mexico's classrooms. Tamez Guerra informed the class of a pilot program involving technology-based textbooks called Programa Enciclomedias, which are provided to several thousand fourth and fifth grade students throughout the country.

"It's like an encyclopedia," Reimers said. "For example, for history they have wonderful footage and simulation in the computers."

Through this technology, a teacher can present a lesson and use an electronic board, while students view the same lesson on a computer that provides immediate links to resources. When students learn about the Mayan ruins, for instance, they can click and view a short video with 360 degree footage, as well as a historical timeline.

"It goes beyond the simple digitization of books to create a truly dynamic and adaptable learning tool for kids," said Neha Jhalani, an International Education Policy master's candidate. "Someone in our class, even remarked, ‘I wish I was in fifth grade in Mexico.'"

Another initiative that's prompting change in Mexico's schools is a program designed to provide incentives for school improvement. Schools can apply for up to $5,000 to implement a school improvement project. As part of that process, the schools must develop a strategic plan and a needs assessment to determine what improvement project is necessary.

"The program assumes that teachers have very good ideas of problems and how to assess them," Reimers said.

Tamez Guerra's ideas and views were well-received by students, who remarked not only about his knowledge, but candidness.

"The secretary demonstrated a clear understanding of the most pressing educational issues in the Mexican context, as well as a specific plan for attending to those challenges," said Eric Roland, a master's student at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. "The solutions presented, most notably the incorporation of the Enciclomedia apparatus, offer a refreshing and innovative way of engaging children and providing them with the opportunity to grow."

Doctoral candidate Sergio Cardenas-Denham, Ed.M.'04, who grew up in Mexico, said he was impressed at Tamez Guerra's ability to be so open. "He didn't refuse to talk about any topic," he said. "It was truly an opportunity to analyze what's happening in that country."

Anna Rosefsky, an International Education Policy master's candidate, agreed. "Tamez Guerra's comments reinforced my understanding that immigrant and historically disadvantaged students in the U.S. face many challenges similar to those faced by the disadvantaged students in Mexico," she said. "Consequently, we have much to learn from one another."