They're Number One

In Neatoday I read that Finland is now number one in student achievement.  It is important to note a few things before I go on, Finland was not succeeding educationally in the 1970's, so they have come from behind and it didn't  happen overnight, it took a few decades for the country to get where they are today in the educational arena.  I mention this because here in America, the legislature as well as the public want change to occur now so we fix everything.  Instead, we need to slow down, step back and with real vision, plan a course for success, oh and here's an idea; incude teachers in the planning process.  Finland did a remarkable thing, they spent money on education.  They didn't cut funds, they SPENT MONEY  to create a better educational system for the children of their country and this includes immigrants from such places as Afghanistan, Bosnia, India, Iran, Iraq, Serbia, Somalia, Turkey, Thailand and Vietnam.  Here are some interesting ideas from Finland:

• teachers receive three years of high-quality graduate preparation completely at the expense of the state
• a major overhaul of the curriculum and assessment system designed to ensure access to a thinking curriculum
• highly trained TEACHERS design curriculum around the very lean national standards   

Here is an interesting quote from the article; "The Finns have worked systematically over 35 years to make sure that competent professionals (teachers), who can craft the best learning conditions for all students are in all schools, rather than thinking that standardized instruction and related testing can be brought in at the last minute to improve student learning and turn around failing schools" (well DUH).

Here is what Finland has not adopted; standardization of curriculum enforced by frequent external tests, adoption of educational ideas from external sources, (like politicians!), and adoption of high-stakes accountability  policies.  Instead Finland has created a culture of diversity, trust and respect within their society and within the educational system. 

Here are a few more differences that you might think are important: Finnish schools are generally small, fewer than 300 pupils with class sizes in the 20s and are uniformly well equipped!  The notion of caring for students educationally and personally is a central principle in the schools.  All students receive a free meal daily, as well as free health care. 

All I hear our politicians say is "It's about the kids."  Bullshit, it's about them getting reelected.  Our leaders make educational decisions based on how they can save money but still make it look like they know what is best for kids, and they make decisions based on something someone else says that they then take completely out of context and run with.  Here in America there is no plan!  There is no vision and there is no caring about the kids!  You really have to start understanding this, politicians today want one thing, to have a job and they will say anything to ensure that you will let them stay. 

My next blog will continue this reality that in America, those in charge, really do not care about our young people. 

Rosemary