The Smartest Kids in the World Part 2- Finland

Hello!

(http://www.amazon.com/The-Smartest-Kids-World-They/dp/145165443X)

     I know you have been waiting on the edge of your seat for the next installment of the information I gained while reading the incredible book The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley.  I have been so excited to write!
     

(http://www.icicp.org/resource-library/icp-publications/global-youth-service-database/europe-2/western-europe/finland/)

Finland

     The next country I am going to explain is Finland.  Finland is becoming a world superpower and a place that many want to emulate.  With their lack of homework and testing, they seem like the exact opposite of the South Korean education system.  Like all countries, Finland has an interesting history and their priorities when teaching students are ones to be admired.

Finland's History

     Many years ago, Finland's education system used to be very similar to that of the United States'.  Originally, there were many teaching colleges scattered throughout the country with varying degrees of quality.  Being that the government did not know if their teachers received a strong education and had the appropriate skills, the system felt that they could not trust the teachers to make decisions for the students.  Finland decided that in order to create more educated citizens, they must improve the quality of the people teaching them.  The Finns rebooted their education system, forcing colleges to become more selective and rigorous and choosing only the smartest and hardest working to become teachers.  The government also paid for teachers' college education.

Finland's Teachers

     Finland's schools focus on the educators.  Being a teacher in Finland is like being a doctor in the United States.  Just like in our country, teachers in Finland belonged to very powerful unions which do not allow them to be dismissed easily.  The difference is that Finland's teachers are all highly educated.  When high school students want to become teachers, they first must get accepted into one of eight prestigious colleges.  Students must have high test scores, good grades, read four selected books from the university and take a test based on what they read.  Through this selection process, only 20% of students are accepted.  It is as difficult to be a teacher in Finland as it is to be a doctor and get into medical school in the United States.

    The rigor does not end once students are accepted into teacher colleges.  Teacher training does not start until the fourth year at school (school lasts for six years which includes a master's degree.  This is mandatory for all teachers).  One full year is devoted to student teaching where much criticism on teaching methods and strategies is given throughout the experience.

     Once teachers receive a job in the school system, academics is their only focus.  Teachers are not leaders in extracurricular clubs or sports; these activities are organized by outside groups unrelated to the school system.  They are allowed to make decisions for their students.  Teachers in Finland created the national core curriculum and are allowed to choose the textbooks for their classes.  

     Salaries of teachers are also higher in Finland.  The cost of living is higher than the United States, but teachers' salaries are even above that.  On average, teachers in Finland make about $20,000/year more than those in the United States.  They are able to do this because their class sizes are larger.  Since teachers are highly trained and prepared, it enables them to teach larger class sizes which reduces the number of teachers needed in a school building.

     The respect for teachers in Finland is insurmountable.  Everyone, students and parents alike, know how highly educated their teachers are and respect them for it.  Truly, the whole country has such a respect for learning that it is impossible not to put the people in charge of this task on a pedestal.  Wealth means very little in Finland; your brain is what is valued and students receive this motto from a young age.

     Teachers also do not know a lot about their students' lives.  Finnish teachers do this purposefully because they believe that when they have empathy for students, they would give better grades based on their home life or current situation.  Teachers have to think and treat their students as equals so that the rigor stays the same for all.  When emotions come in to play, Finnish teachers believe that they will not be able to do their jobs efficiently.
     While working in the field throughout their career, teachers are more likely to watch other teachers teach.  They also have more collaboration and planning time to articulate with others throughout the day.

(http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/finland.htm)

School Life

     School life has many differences in Finland compared to the United States.  In Finland, technology is not at the forefront of education.  There are no interactive whiteboards, iPads, or laptops for individual students.  There are also no police officers or security guards in the building of any school.  Additionally, there are no parent-teacher conferences; if a teacher has an issue, they meet with the student alone.

     Standardized testing is not something that is yearly in Finland; only a sample of the population is tested and it is not high stakes.  These tests are only one hour and a small sample of students take it.  The test's purpose is to monitor how schools are performing.  In the classroom, the average test that is taken on a more regular basis is in an essay format, usually with a three to four page requirement.  Students do, however, take a very important test at the end of high school.  This test is taken very seriously and has implications to students' futures.  Finland's final exam stretches over three weeks and lasts fifty hours.  Teachers follow students to the bathroom to make sure that they do not cheat.  On the first day, the test is comprised of several reading selections and short essays analyzing each one, which lasts for six hours.  On the second day, students choose one out of fourteen topics and write an extensive essay over the next six hours.

     Just like in South Korea, rigor is crucial for success in Finland.  School's purpose is to help students master important academic material which is challenging.  There are no study guides and students have to work hard in order to pass regular tests.  Teachers in Finland are also not lenient when students do not do the work.

     In Finland, special education is also an important part of the school system.  Teachers consider students to have temporary learning difficulties rather than permanent ones.  Half of Finnish students receive special education services at some point, usually in elementary school, so that their weaknesses could be targeted and fixed before students fell too far behind.  The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got There compares this method to a pit crew; as soon as a student is struggling, every service available is given so that the students can get back on the right track as quickly as possible.

     Finland also hardly has any private schools, vouchers, or charter schools.  Students, however, could apply to attend special schools for high performers that focused on science, math, or a foreign language.  This is sometimes done by upper class families.

Student Attitudes

     Students in Finland take education very seriously.  They care an enormous amount about their academics because they know that it is the only way to go to college and get a good job.  They do not necessary enjoy school, though.  Only 20% of Finnish students said they like math compared to 40% of American students.  Students in Finland did not enjoy many subjects because they were hard.

     Kids also have a lot of free time.  Finns do not play as many sports or hold down after school jobs.  Since they do not get homework, they have a lot of free time to spend doing activities of interest or spend time outside.  This might be the reason why Finns were ranked second in the 2012 World Happiness Report. Not only do citizens have time to pursue activities that they enjoy but they receive more income when graduating college.  Even though they may not enjoy school when involved, increased income is shown to increase happiness.

(http://www.citylifemagazine.net/uncategorized/cleantech-finlands-next-nokia/)

     What are your thoughts on Finland's education system?  Do they have a model that the United States should emulate?  Do testing and homework really not yield results?  Would better education and training for teachers lead to more respect which would lead to better learning?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section about what you feel is positive about Finland's system and what they are lacking.

Enjoy!