Finland
Federal
Book Review: Wilson on Sahlberg, Finnish Lessons
John I. Wilson reviews Pasi Sahlberg's Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? (Teachers College Press, 2011).
Assessment
Opinion
Finland Embraced a Highly Productive Reform Strategy; The United States is Racing Toward a Dead End—Why?
Marc Tucker traces the broad outlines of the history of education in Finland and the United States to explain why one country has experienced educational success while the other lags behind.
Education
Opinion
A Finnish Model Worth Replicating
In recent posts I've argued that while we can and should learn a great deal from international comparisons of educational practices and outcomes, we should not simply adopt the practices of other countries, but should put them (and home-grown solutions) to the test in our country. Last week, as part of Education Week's Quality Counts, there was an article by Pasi Sahlberg, of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Finland, of course, has become the poster child for those who point abroad for inspiration, because of its top rankings on international tests, such as PISA and TIMSS.
Federal
Common-Core Standards Drew on Ideas From Abroad
Other nations' curricula and standards were important in crafting the learning goals most states have adopted.
School & District Management
Opinion
Finland's Success Is No Miracle
Many of the ideas behind Finland's internationally recognized education system were born abroad, writes Pasi Sahlberg.
Teaching Profession
Lessons on Teachers' Unions from Canada, Finland?
An essay argues that American elected officials can find lessons for teacher union-school district collaboration in Finland and Canada.
Standards & Accountability
Opinion
What Can We Learn From Finland?
Finland rightly deserves attention today as a nation that treats its children as a precious resource and that honors the adults who make education their passion and their career.
Special Education
The Tao of Finland's Schools
This month's Smithsonian magazine includes an interesting article exploring the (relatively recent) success of Finland's school system. The author highlights a certain Zen-like quality in the way Finnish schools operate:
Standards & Accountability
Opinion
Can the Common Core Coalition Keep Its Finlandophiles in Check?
It's a good thing that David Coleman and Gene Wilhoit are gentlemen, because otherwise they'd be sorely tempted right about now to crack open some Rahm Emanuel-esque whoop-ass on their putative friends and allies in the Common Core effort.
Federal
Opinion
Haha...Guess Why Finland Fell From First Place
It's those annoying BOYS, of course. What are the Finns going to do about falling into third place on the OECD rankings?
Education
Letter to the Editor
Finland vs. United States: An Unequal Comparison
To the Editor:
Walt Gardner’s delightful blog post Are Quality and Quantity Possible in Teacher Recruitment?" (Feb. 26, 2010) points out that Finland, highest in international comparisons of student achievement, is a small, largely homogeneous nation that focuses much attention on education. Critics of American schools often point to Finnish achievement as a model, and ask that whatever the Finns do be replicated in the United States.
Walt Gardner’s delightful blog post Are Quality and Quantity Possible in Teacher Recruitment?" (Feb. 26, 2010) points out that Finland, highest in international comparisons of student achievement, is a small, largely homogeneous nation that focuses much attention on education. Critics of American schools often point to Finnish achievement as a model, and ask that whatever the Finns do be replicated in the United States.
School & District Management
School 'Burnout': Finnish Researchers Find It's All in the Family
A study published today in Science Daily suggests that teenagers who are burned out on school tend to have parents who are burned out on work.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
In Reform, Look to Finland, Not 21st-Century Skills
To the Editor:
Your article “Backers of ‘21st-Century Skills’ Take Flak” (March 4, 2009) cites Tony Wagner, a co-director of the Change Leadership Institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as saying that any attempt to improve the public schools must be accompanied by major changes in teacher education. He points to Finland’s reform of its education profession as an example of what to do. Mr. Wagner is right on, and we should pay heed to the academic requirements prospective Finnish teachers must meet.
Your article “Backers of ‘21st-Century Skills’ Take Flak” (March 4, 2009) cites Tony Wagner, a co-director of the Change Leadership Institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as saying that any attempt to improve the public schools must be accompanied by major changes in teacher education. He points to Finland’s reform of its education profession as an example of what to do. Mr. Wagner is right on, and we should pay heed to the academic requirements prospective Finnish teachers must meet.