Friday, November 30, 2012

A Blueprint Worth Following

As part of the PDK International Emerging Leader Award, I had the opportunity to attend an amazing professional development experience in Washington DC.  During the first session there was a presentation on the Finnish Education System and the characteristics that make is the most successful system in the world in terms of student achievement.  


Here are some aspects that called out to me:

  • Culture of trust and moral/social responsibility.
  • No inspections or continuous monitoring by state/federal agencies.
  • No standardized tests until the 12th grade.
  • A country that truly values educators so much so that they are on par with doctors and lawyers. Everyone aspires to be a teacher, which translates into the best students pursuing this as a career.
  • All students attend higher education for FREE.
  • All teachers have a Master's Degree.
  • All administrators also teach.
  • Free lunch for all students.
  • The basic education curriculum is only 128 pages.
  • Free market for publishing, which means teacher has total autonomy as to the resources he/she wants to use including textbooks.
So why does the US Department of Education not take any cues from the Finnish blueprint for success?  Seems like we are doing the exact opposite.

7 comments:

  1. i would love to see the 128 page curriculum

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  2. John: I am not toally sure, but I am assuming it comes from taxes.

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  3. Hi there Nice Blog to read about the Online Education this blog is helpful for pupils who learn online and want Homework Help Service. Thanks for sharing information with us.

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  4. I think there are a number of cultural influences that are difficult to measure. As an American living overseas, I find that my initial reaction to problems is to find out "who is to blame." Many blame educators who then decide tests will provide the necessary accountability.

    It's worth looking at some cultural characteristics that differ from America: http://geert-hofstede.com/finland.html

    Janet | expateducator.com

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  5. I wonder how much of the political process is taken out of the schools to achieve this success.

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  6. The Finnish school education in really kinda good one even i will put my children there!

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