Why finlands schools are great

Finland can therefore provide a helpful blueprint to implement what we already know works within the schools we have now, while American innovators continue to experiment with new models for the future. When we reflected on the experience, we came away with four main reforms any US state or school could implement to make sustainable improvements within the current system.

Finnish education is based on a clearly stated vision of target abilities, rather than prescriptive, content-based curriculum. These competencies are aspirational rather than fixed benchmarks; they define a relevant vision of how all students can function in society, rather than specific content knowledge.

Local municipalities and schools adapt this curriculum to their context and classrooms, and since there are no national achievement tests, the Finnish National Agency for Education can focus on effectively integrating this shared vision into curriculum and school policy, rather than on accountability.

In the United States, some schools, districts, and even a few states are beginning to reorient education toward the development of a more-holistic set of skills, similar to Finland. And to help schools looking to articulate a more-holistic vision for their graduates and engage communities in a visioning process, Transcend Education with which the authors are affiliated has created a database that provides research-based measures to evaluate learning outcomes for social-emotional skills like empathy and sense of purpose.

Finland attributes its success in education to getting the right people to become teachers, developing them into effective instructors, and putting systems and supports in place to ensure that all children benefit from excellent instruction.

Teacher training programs are competitive admitting about 1 in 10 students and rigorous. The profession is highly regarded despite average pay as compared to other OECD countries, and according to the Finnish National Agency for Education , 90 percent of teachers report being satisfied with their job. These high marks are due in part to the trust and autonomy Finnish teachers have. Local governance elevates their voices in policymaking. School boards must, by law, include teachers alongside parents, classified staff, and students.

Finnish teachers also have more time. In the United States, on the other hand, districts struggle to recruit and retain qualified teachers. Recent teacher walkouts reflect frustration over more than pay and insufficient school funding. To develop a larger pool of qualified teachers, schools can make use of alternative pathways to certification by recruiting high-potential teachers with skills and lived experiences that are relevant to students.

They spend only half an hour a night working on stuff from school. Finnish students are getting everything they need to get done in school without the added pressures that come with excelling at a subject. Without having to worry about grades and busy-work they are able to focus on the true task at hand — learning and growing as a human being. Mike Colagrossi , Writer, Big Think. This article was originally published by Big Think. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Researchers have discovered that the brain doesn't differentiate between different languages in conversations between bilingual speakers. In the United States, workers quitting their jobs increased by almost , in the past year, meaning companies need to rethink their talent strategies.

I accept. Education, Skills and Learning European Union 10 reasons why Finland's education system is the best in the world. Mike Colagrossi Writer, Big Think.

Take action on UpLink. Explore context. Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis. Accountability for teachers not required. Cooperation not competition. Make the basics a priority. Since the s, Finnish educators have focused on making these basics a priority:. Education should be an instrument to balance out social inequality. All students receive free school meals. Ease of access to health care.

Psychological counseling Individualised guidance. Starting school at an older age. Providing professional options past a traditional college degree.

Have you read? Finland has the most effective universities in the world Finland has one of the world's best education systems. Finns wake up later for less strenuous schooldays. Consistent instruction from the same teachers. Yet they are outperforming cultures that have toxic school-to-life balances without the unneeded or unnecessary stress.

Finnish students are getting everything they need to get done in school without the added pressures that come with excelling at a subject. Without having to worry about grades and busy-work they are able to focus on the true task at hand — learning and growing as a human being.

How does education system in your country compare to the Finnish? Do you think adopting some of these practices will promote more effective learning? Would you like to study in Finland?

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. If you are yet to subscribe to our channel, this is likely a good time to subscribe. Apply Now. This is very interesting and am one of the people who have desired to teach my children in Finland and apart from that as a teacher I desire to teach in Finland due to the respect they give to teachers unlike most of our schools in Uganda.

I would love for my children to be able to study in Finland. This sounds like an absolute dream to be honest. I would love to bring this to Canada. How could one accomplish that? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Get notified of latest funding opportunities. Stay informed on opportunities in education, career development and entrepreneurship.

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