Although it’s relatively short on square footage and tallies roughly 5.3 million residents, Finland turns out some big-time educational successes. Finnish students consistently perform at above-average levels in math, science and reading, and their stellar subject mastery has educators spanning the globe scratching their collective heads and asking why.
A case-in-point example of the Finns’ educational forte: According to a recent Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) — a regularly administered exam sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that tests 15-year-olds in 57 industrialized nations — Finland consistently snags the top slot. Call it a Finnish phenomenon, but there is no denying the Scandinavian country’s brainy citizenry and their consistent A-list accomplishments. And, frankly we’re a little jealous.
It’s no secret that we, as parents and teachers, genuinely want to provide our progeny with a pitch-perfect mix of get-smart opportunities. But more often than not, unfortunately, our nation’s schools are performing at sub-par levels, with students (quite literally) failing to make the grade. Which means it behooves us to take a closer look at the Finnish paradigm and attempt to suss out their secrets to success. Although in many ways, comparing the United States (or D-FW, for that matter) to Finland is a lot like comparing apples to oranges (Finnish folk, for example, are much more homogenous in terms of education and socioeconomic status, to name but a couple of the myriad differences), by taking a cue from their curricula, we might be able to add some extra oomph to our schools’ syllabi.
To that end, we scoured scores of sources in search of the Finns’ modus operandi, a smattering of which we present to you here. In our city known for its hard-driving, go-go-go approach to learning (and early learning at that), some of the Scandinavians’ strategies may surprise you (no homework! free tuition!).
Or, inspire.
1. Instead of hitting the books when they’ve barely graduated out of Pull-Ups and sippy cups, Finnish students don’t start school until age 7.
2. Finland boasts 20 universities, that are owned and largely funded by the government. University studies are selected based on the results of entrance exams. Best of all: The universities offer free tuition.
3. Finnish teachers exercise free reign to choose their own textbooks and lesson plans to progress students toward a set of scholastic standards.
4. Finns are voracious bookworms and have a seemingly inherent love of reading.
5. Finnish schools don’t offer specialized classes or organizations (like National Honor Society) for gifted-and-talented students.
6. Finland doesn’t employ standardized testing or other formal means to gauge students’ abilities.
7. It’s rare for a Finnish teacher to have a student who isn’t fluent in the country’s native tongue.
8. There is no such thing as a poor or wealthy school in Finland. Each educational institution teaches children at the same per-pupil rate.
9. Before they enter elementary school, all Finnish pupils have graduated from a government-backed preschool program, which typically focuses on socialization and self-improvement instead of pure academics.
10. Finnish students don’t receive grades for their work.
11. Finland’s overall high-school dropout rate: 4 percent.
12. For students who opt not to attend a university, Finland offers “polytechnics,” a gratis higher-education institution that teaches them workable, “real-world” skills in various vocational realms.
13. Since 1948, Finnish schools have been offering free meals to all students, and studies time and again show that a well-fed mind is much more ripe for learning than a non-nourished one.
14. Accessibility of education is ensured in Finland.
15. Finland does not have segregated education for different genders (i.e., no all-boys or all-girls schools).
16. Basic education is free (including teaching, necessary materials, special-needs classes, remedial instruction, meals, health and dental care and transportation).
17. The education system is very flexible and accommodating.
18. All activities at every level (from high-level administration on down and throughout the entire society) are marked by interaction, cooperation and teamwork. In short, everyone is on the same page when it comes to the importance of forging a strong educational foundation.
19. Much attention is given to supporting students’ learning, with individual mentoring provided.
20. The teaching profession is highly prized, respected and popular, which means quality educators are never in short supply. Teachers are encouraged to be self-directed, autonomous and work independently. In addition, all are well trained and must possess a master’s degree.
21. Students’ active involvement and interaction with teachers, fellow students and the learning environment in general is encouraged, and this all-for-one, one-for-all approach forms the framework for the curriculum.
22. Homework, much to the delight of students, is a rarity.
23. Upper secondary schools have no grades, with the goal being for students to complete the classes in three years.
24. Students receive basic education from ages 7-16. They attend comprehensive school for nine years, preceded by one year of voluntary pre-primary education; upper secondary education is comprised vocational and general education; and higher education is supplied by universities and polytechnics.
25. Schools do not select their students, but all students can attend any school within their district.
26. The evaluation of learning outcomes of schools and of students is supportive and individually based.
27. Finnish society is rooted in education, culture and knowledge. No matter where they live, what language they speak or how much money their families make, all students are guaranteed the opportunity for continued study, lifelong self-discovery and lasting success.
SOURCES: Ministry of Education, Finnish National Board of Education, www.pisa2006.helsinki.fi, www.openeducation.net.
