Finland
Education
The Secret of Finland's Success
The Public School Insights blog posts a interesting interview with Reijo Laukkanen, a veteran of Finland's National Board of Education. Asked what explains the consistently high international rankings of the Finnish education system, Lukkanen starts with a one-word answer: Teachers. Other eye-catching points:
Curriculum
Opinion
What Finland's Example Proves
Dear Deborah,
Time to disagree. Finland is the answer. No, I don't mean that we should or can copy Finland, but that we can learn from the remarkable synthesis that Finland has achieved. Their schools meet all or most of your pedagogical criteria—they "focus on a playful and wonder-filled childhood," and they prize teacher autonomy and school autonomy. Yet they do so within the context of a specific and carefully wrought national core curriculum. What is essential for children in urban areas is also essential for children in the remote rural areas. Teachers are free to be creative and passionate because they are clear about what their job is. Their autonomy is freedom to teach, not curricular anarchy.
Time to disagree. Finland is the answer. No, I don't mean that we should or can copy Finland, but that we can learn from the remarkable synthesis that Finland has achieved. Their schools meet all or most of your pedagogical criteria—they "focus on a playful and wonder-filled childhood," and they prize teacher autonomy and school autonomy. Yet they do so within the context of a specific and carefully wrought national core curriculum. What is essential for children in urban areas is also essential for children in the remote rural areas. Teachers are free to be creative and passionate because they are clear about what their job is. Their autonomy is freedom to teach, not curricular anarchy.
Assessment
Opinion
Is Finland the Answer?
Dear Deborah,
As you know, Americans have a long history of looking to other countries for answers to our educational problems. In the 19th Century, American educators traveled to Prussia to see the wonders of its national education system. In the 1960s, the British education system became the American educational Mecca because of its demonstrations of infant education and open classrooms (with an occasional side trip to Summerhill).
As you know, Americans have a long history of looking to other countries for answers to our educational problems. In the 19th Century, American educators traveled to Prussia to see the wonders of its national education system. In the 1960s, the British education system became the American educational Mecca because of its demonstrations of infant education and open classrooms (with an occasional side trip to Summerhill).
Federal
Trends in the European Union: Education Seen Driving Prosperity
The European Union has its share of education successes with Finland outperforming the world on international exams and several other European countries scoring above the international average.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Many Factors Contribute to Finland’s School Success
I agree with Patrick F. Bassett, writing in “What the Finns Know Shouldn’t Surprise Us (But Does),” that we can learn a lot from the Finns and their education system.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Education in Finland: Adding a Few Facts
Patrick F. Bassett’s Commentary was a wonderful piece about education in Finland. I would like to point out a few additional facts.
Federal
Opinion
What the Finns Know Shouldn’t Surprise Us (But Does)
Patrick F. Bassett outlines what we could learn from their success.
Federal
Finnish Students Are at the Top of the World Class
In Finland, a long-standing legal tradition known as the “everyman’s right” guarantees the public broad access to the country’s vast, picturesque forests, in most cases regardless of who owns the land. As a result, a prized national asset is shared throughout society, rather than hoarded by a few. For years, a similar principle has applied to education.
Federal
Collection
Focus On: World Learning
Education Week's archival World Learning coverage examined schooling trends and developments around the world.
Education
Opinion
Finland's Lessons
Finland, a country best known for vodka, modern design, skiers, and
saunas, also has a track record of impressive achievements in
education. So on a trip last year to Helsinki, I included a series of
visits to schools and teacher preparation institutions. I spoke to
students, teachers, parents, administrators and, of course, to taxi
drivers hoping to find lessons for schools in the United States. In
general, I learned the following: