You admit there is a high rate of cheating but then say it's unfair to call it out. I hope you see the contradiction there.
Here's a great, sad documentary on the hollowness of the Chinese dream's cycle of expectation, lack of regulation and general chaos of creating unrealistic expectations for millions. Highly recommend watching it.
"Education, Education: Why Poverty" http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/education-education/
The same system exists in America. The US version of this documentary is College, Inc [1]
The whole exchange between parents who want the best for their kids, teachers who are pushing a sub-par education at their private schools that they know takes advantage of poorer students, pre-enrollment students who will do anything to find a job, and graduated students who can see that this education hasn't opened any doors, is easy to see through this documentary. I wonder whether this film is viewable within China or not
The teacher explaining how his school isn't worth it, particularly for the poor, is heartbreakingly honest [2]
The part when she sings a song about what happened to her hands when she was a child is both sad and happy [3]
Also interesting to learn about the term "Ant Tribe", that is, kids who can't find a job after school [4]
[1] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/collegeinc/
[2] https://youtu.be/BP61LwODTnY?t=50m32s
There's a logical difference between saying "a lot of chinese students are cheaters" and "chinese student is most likely a cheater". While statistically speaking these propositions seem to be equal, notice that we are not 100% sure here — we're talking in probabilities.
But talking in probabilities has two important implications. First, human brains are not wired up to work with probabilities probably: so, when you hear a statement "chinese student is likely to be a cheater", next time you see a chinese student, you will see a cheater. Not a 80% probability cheater, just a cheater.
And second thing is that modern morality is based on assumption of best in people — presumption of innocence in law is just one example of that. And this norm have worked really well, in general. When we know that someone is 'bad' only with 80% certainty, we prefer to act as if he's good — for a variety of reasons too complicated to discuss here. Let's just say that in general, it's good for everyone.
So, in the end, answering your point: it's not "unfair to call it out". It's just bad to make all chinese students look bad and create pre-conceptions about them.
Where does the article say Chinese students are most likely cheaters?? I've see this claim repeated multiple times in this thread. Nobody can point out where that is mentioned.
If you could rewrite the article, how would you rewrite it? Would you mention the Chinese at all or just claim that this particular business, Fanyi Translation [1] [2], is helping students cheat, and not mention that they cater to Chinese speakers?
> And second thing is that modern morality is based on assumption of best in people
That's a great attitude and I hope more people can embrace it. Let's begin by fostering trust and call a spade a spade. The article is talking about facts that happened. Students cheated. The article is not saying that the cheaters are bad people. In fact, it says the opposite and demonstrates an understanding of the students.
The article acknowledges that the students know they broke the rules and wish to move on. End of story. The implication for the rest of us is that this doesn't just happen in Iowa, and this thread is a discussion about how to help students, schools and government identify problems and issue corrections for the benefit of all parties. There is nothing wrong with openly talking about an existing problem.
If you are offended by that, I can't help you. This is the way we solve problems in America.
[1] https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&...