Introduction to Section I: Mathematics Education in Asia

This section focuses on mathematics education, particularly in schools from grades 1 to 12, in Asia. This introduction first explores how and why interest in mathematics education in Asia, particularly East Asia, emerged. Next, we draw on two studies to illustrate how complex an endeavor it can be to duplicate education systems which are nested in sociological and cultural settings. Lastly, we provide readers with a window to the chapters in the section, presented by 13 scholars from 11 jurisdictions spanning the continents of Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. The five chapters in this section provide insights beyond perceptions of mathematics education in Asia, mainly East Asia. The chapters also provide leads for further research related to achievement in mathematics at grades 1–12.