Shanghai instructors take math smarts to the UK

A group of Chinese math teachers are headed to classrooms in United Kingdom primary schools in a program to share their successful teaching methods while improving educational cooperation between the two countries.

Up to 30 Shanghai teachers will participate in the exchange, which starts in September, said Yang Weiren, director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division at Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, which coordinates the exchange.

Shanghai students topped the ranks in math, reading and science in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's 2012 Program for International Student Assessment, which evaluates education systems worldwide. UK students ranked 26th in math.