| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education, Tutoring |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Osaka, Japan (Global HQ), Teaneck, NJ (North America HQ) |
| Products | Kumon Math, Kumon Reading, Jr. Kumon |
| Website | www.kumon.com |
The Kumon method, developed by educator Toru Kumon, is a math and reading educational method that is practiced in Kumon's learning centers.[1]
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In 1954, Toru Kumon began to teach his eldest son due to his problems in mathematics at school. Kumon developed the Kumon Method. In 1956, Kumon opened the first Kumon Center in Osaka, Japan with the help of parents that were interested in the Method. In 1958, he founded the Kumon Institute of Education, after which Kumon Centers began to open around the world. Since 1956, some 16 million students have been enrolled in Kumon. As of 2009, over 4 million students were studying under the Kumon Method at more than 26,000 Kumon Centers in 46 countries.[2]
Kumon is a math and reading enrichment program. Students do not work together as a class, but progress through the curriculum at their own pace, moving on to the next level when they have achieved mastery of the previous level. Students are often guided by tutors to develop their mathematical and reasoning skills. Mastery is defined as speed (using a standard completion time) and accuracy.[3] They take an achievement test at the end of each level. The ratio between the time the student takes on the test and the number of mistakes the student made will determine what group level the student will be in on the test.There are a total of four group levels on the achievement tests and the lower the group number the better the score is.
The Kumon family, led by his wife Teiko, own 60 percent of the company. Forbes magazine estimated in March 2009 that the entire company was currently worth over $650 million.[4]
The Kumon language program varies regionally. For example, the Chinese reading program in Mainland China is different from the Chinese reading program in Hong Kong and in Singapore,[5][6][7] and the English program in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines varies from the English program in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Kumon Korea has other subjects, such as science, calligraphy, Korean, and Chinese characters, which are not available elsewhere.[8]
The Math program also differs. The math program for most countries goes up to Level O and Level X.[9][10][11] However, in Japan, the math program is available up to Level V.[12]