The education system of Finland is generally considered one of the best in the world and there are reasons why. Forty years ago more or less the people of Finland took a long hard look at their country and how they were going to survive and prosper in a world when they had few natural resources of a magnitude that would help them provide for themselves. They came up with a unique source - the intelligence of their people. That became one of their highest priorities and has remained so since.
Finland provides free and open education to all for the voluntary kindgergarten (age 6) and nine years of basic education. This includes a free hot lunch and, since medical care is free for all, all children enter as healthy as possible. After and before school activities and special education are also provided. Guidelines of what should be accomplished in each grade are provided but methodology and evaluation is left to local authorities and especially to individual teachers. School starts in mid-August and lasts 190 days until early June.
Beyond basic education students can enter vocational training where they are prepared in 3 years to begin a specific vocation. Many also go on to upper secondary education where graduates can attend either a University which is more academic or artistic or a Polytechnical school which is based more on labor needs and R&D. Higher level degrees are available in either of these options.
So the mechanics are not so much different that here in the U.S.A. What makes their program more successful? Below are a few examples and at the end I will recommend an article which adds more detail:
1) Rather than privatizing schools, controlling methodology, and constantly testing kids, Finland chose to do what it needed to provide top-notch teachers. Teachers come from the university level and all teachers must have a master's degree. Candidates are carefully selected and the majority of students applying for teacher education are not accepted. Teachers are very respected by society as they are the best they have.
2) In their opinion the goal is economic growth, education drives economic growth and therefore, investment in education is a primary investment for the future growth.
3) Funding is ongoing and sustainable, allowing schools to concentrate of teaching students.
4) Since there is only one mandated exam at the end of basic education, teachers can better determine what, how, and when to teach individual subjects within their grade level. Time is not wasted preparing for tests.
5) Every effort has been made to remove the political aspect from Finnish education. On the national level both parties cooperate to provide what's needed for the best possible education and because it's education that provides economic opportunity, it continues to improve.
6) Business, labor and government cooperate to keep education strong and changing as world conditions
demand. This not only means business input into what's needed in any given province, but it also means voluntary cooperation by teachers unions as they are treated as part of the improvement process.
The above is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to differences between Finland and the U.S. in education. An easy to read and more comprehensive comparison can be found at
http://bertmaes.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/why-is-education-in-finland-that-good-10-reform-principles-behind-the-success/
We need to learn from others where we can. Please add your comments at the end of this post.
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