Finnish Education- would it work for us?
January 21, 2013 in uncategorized
Business Insider
A new global league table, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit for Pearson, has found Finland to be the best education system in the world.The rankings combined international test results and data such as graduation rates between 2006 and 2010, the BBC reports.
For Finland, this is no fluke. Since it implemented huge education reforms 40 years ago, the country’s school system has consistently come in at the top for the international rankings for education systems.
But how do they do it?
It’s simple — by going against the evaluation-driven, centralized model that much of the Western world uses.
Finnish children don’t start school until they are 7.
Elinag / Shutterstock.com
(Source: NYtimes)
They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens.
The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.
(Source: NYTimes)
There is only one mandatory standardized test in Finland, taken when children are 16.
Getty: Tony Lewis
(Source: Smithsonian)
All children, clever or not, are taught in the same classrooms.
(Source: Smithsonian)
Finland spends around 30 percent less per student than the United States.
(Source: Smithsonian)
30 percent of children receive extra help during their first nine years of school.
(Source: Smithsonian)
66 percent of students go to college.
The difference between weakest and strongest students is the smallest in the World.
Getty: Tony Lewis
(Source: Smithsonian)
Science classes are capped at 16 students so that they may perform practical experiments in every class.
(Source: TNR)
93 percent of Finns graduate from high school.
43 percent of Finnish high-school students go to vocational schools.
(Source: Smithsonian)
Elementary school students get 75 minutes of recess a day in Finnish versus an average of 27 minutes in the US.
AP
(Source: TNR)
Teachers only spend 4 hours a day in the classroom, and take 2 hours a week for “professional development.”
(Source: NYTimes)
Finland has the same amount of teachers as New York City, but far fewer students.
The school system is 100% state funded.
(Source: Smithsonian)
All teachers in Finland must have a masters degree, which is fully subsidized.
(Source: NYTimes)
The national curriculum is only broad guidelines.
(Source: Smithsonian)
Teachers are selected from the top 10% of graduates.
(Source: Smithsonian)
In 2010, 6,600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training slots
(Source: Smithsonian)
The average starting salary for a Finnish teacher was $29,000 in 2008
However, high school teachers with 15 years of experience make 102 percent of what other college graduates make.
There is no merit pay for teachers
(Source: TNR)
Teachers are given the same status as doctors and lawyers
(Source: Smithsonian)
In an international standardized measurement in 2001, Finnish children came in at the top, or very close to the top, for science, reading and mathematics.
katutaide on flickr
It’s consistently come in at the top or very near every time since.
(Source: OECD/PISA)
And despite the differences between Finland and the US, it easily beats countries with a similar demographic
Neighbor Norway, of a similar size and featuring a similar homogeneous culture, follows the same strategies as the USA and achieves similar rankings in international studies.
(Source: Smithsonian)
balans said on January 28, 2013
Interesting alternative.
The conventional is not necessarily the best
Jeanius said on January 29, 2013
There is an Israeli version that some doctor devised for street children. Can’t recall the name of the system now but it is kind of all activities and resources out in an open classroom with huge windows and open doors and what the cjild chooses, does and learns inside or out- that’s it. Move on when ready. Care, supervision and teacher interest required:)
CocoaR said on February 16, 2013
Hi Jeanie:-)
A lovely and accurate post about the education system here. I’ve missed your posts, having forgotten my password I couldn’t access. Hope now I can keep up.
Keep well.
Jeanius said on February 18, 2013
Hey CocoaR- tried to click and search for your blog but you are not active at all? Please pop in again:)
Jeanius said on February 17, 2013
Hey there CocoaR – you just made my heart soar:)
How very good to see you. Please come again.
Did you find your password? will you post?
Bless:)