Leo T. reviewed Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? (Series on School Reform) on + 1775 more book reviews
Very clearly and concisely written--beyond the preface and intro, each chapter begins with a few paragraphs summing up what will be covered. The author began by teaching math and science to junior high school aged students (que hombre!) and later moved onto the international scene to represent Finland in international circles. "What the world can learn from educational change in Finland is that accomplishing the dream of a good and equitable education system for all children is possible. But it takes the right mix of ingenuity, time, patience, and determination."
They avoid teaching to the test and take advantage of the time students spend in upper secondary classes. There are five or six periods in each school year rather than two semesters.
Today a teaching career is valued by Finns over law or medicine--most educators have M.A.s.
Dr. Sahlberg notes that Finland benefited by studying the educational research of other nations but adapted what they found useful to their schools--others should do likewise after considering what worked for Finland.
"The Finnish experience shows that consistent focus on equity and cooperation--not force and competition--can lead to an education system where all children learn well. Paying teachers based on students' test scores or converting public schools into private ones (through charters or other means) are ideas that have no place in the Finnish repertoire for educational improvement."
Note that students' educational pathway is quite self directed after completing the basic requirements, counseling resources are generous, and there are strong vocational education offerings (prep for the knowledge economy).
There is still a high risk exam for matriculation, financing is squeezed without the Nokia miracle that carried Finland after the end of the special trade with the USSR, the future of the 21st C. is not sufficiently planned for, and almost none of the refugees have become citizens.
"One of the distinguishing features of Sahlberg's character is that upon entering a new country anywhere in the world to provide systemic evaluation and support, one of his first professional acts is always to teach a mathematics lesson and converse with the students in one of the country's everyday secondary schools."
Bibliography, tables, index.
They avoid teaching to the test and take advantage of the time students spend in upper secondary classes. There are five or six periods in each school year rather than two semesters.
Today a teaching career is valued by Finns over law or medicine--most educators have M.A.s.
Dr. Sahlberg notes that Finland benefited by studying the educational research of other nations but adapted what they found useful to their schools--others should do likewise after considering what worked for Finland.
"The Finnish experience shows that consistent focus on equity and cooperation--not force and competition--can lead to an education system where all children learn well. Paying teachers based on students' test scores or converting public schools into private ones (through charters or other means) are ideas that have no place in the Finnish repertoire for educational improvement."
Note that students' educational pathway is quite self directed after completing the basic requirements, counseling resources are generous, and there are strong vocational education offerings (prep for the knowledge economy).
There is still a high risk exam for matriculation, financing is squeezed without the Nokia miracle that carried Finland after the end of the special trade with the USSR, the future of the 21st C. is not sufficiently planned for, and almost none of the refugees have become citizens.
"One of the distinguishing features of Sahlberg's character is that upon entering a new country anywhere in the world to provide systemic evaluation and support, one of his first professional acts is always to teach a mathematics lesson and converse with the students in one of the country's everyday secondary schools."
Bibliography, tables, index.
