Why Go To Finland in March…???

New Mexico Phi Delta Kappa Dr. Kathy Andreson

What Can You Learn Through International Travel? Opportunities with PDK.

Why go to FINALND …in MARCH?Schools in Other Countries? Who has taught or visited where?

OECD PISA Scores in Finland are in top three Internationally(Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - Programe for International Student Assessment)

To freeze our **#@#%* !

FINLAND IN BRIEF independent since 1917 member of the European Union since 1995 land area 338,000 sq. km population 5.4 million (18 inhabitants / sq.

km) two official languages: Finnish (90.4%),

Swedish (5.4%) Sámi official mother language of about 1

900 people foreigners: appr. 4.8% of population;

integration of immigrant population religion: Lutheran (78%), orthodox (1%),

others (1.8%), no religious affiliation (19.2%)

UNDERLYING EDUCATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

“The objective of Finnish education and cultural policy is to guarantee all people - irrespective of their ethnic origin, background or wealth - equal opportunities and rights to culture, free quality education, and prerequisites for full citizenship. (---) All people must have equal access to services of consistent quality. “

“The most competent nation in the world by 2020”(Government programme 2011)

Specificities of the Finnish education system

EvolutionCulture of education

Co-operation

Decentralised Central steering Local decisions

Free education Public fundingTrust

Compulsory education starts at 7, same for all, inclusive, flexible and takes into account pupils’

individual needs, no streaming nor ability grouping

No inspections, no high-stakes testing or national examinations in basic education

High-quality teachers, high status, professional respect, autonomy in the class room

Culture supportive of learning / support to teaching and learning

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IMPORTANT QUALITY INDICATORS High academic achievement, equal learning outcomes

PISA 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009 Small between and within school differences Low drop-out (0.3% in basic education, 2-3% in general

education and 10% in vocational upper secondary education)

Highly educated and motivated teachers Effective use of resources

Around 6 % of GDP goes to education 190 school days per year, 4 - 7 hours per day in

compulsory education Moderate amount of homework, no need for private

lessons after school Class repetition only 2 % in basic education

BASIC EDUCATION a nine-year basic education (7-16 years) single structure voluntary additional basic education, one-year (10th

grade) 99 % of comprehensive schools maintained by

municipalities no charges (instruction, learning, meals, materials,

transport…) no national final examinations repetition (0,5%) and drop-out marginal revision of core curriculum due to come under

operation

GENERAL UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION

Syllabus planned for three years, but possible to be accomplished in 2-4 years.

Instruction not tied to year classes, but divided into courses.

National matriculation examinationFree of charge (except text books)

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

INITIAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Qualifications were reformed in 2008-201052 qualifications, 121 programmescan be completed in the form of school-based

training or apprenticeship trainingScope 120 credits (3 years)

90 credits of professional studies min 20 credits of on-the-job-learning skills demonstrations final year project

FURTHER VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Further vocational qualifications (ca. 189) Specialist vocational qualifications (ca. 130)

UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONIndependent corporations under public law or

foundations under private law Principles: freedom of education and research

and university autonomyMoEC and each university sign a

performance agreement for a three-year period

commit to certain objectives and projects and level of funding

revisited every year

EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITUREPublic spending in 2009 (incl. public subsidies such as scholarships and grants to students), all levels of education

of GDP Finland 6.8% Japan 3.8% USA 5.5% OECD average 5.8% EU 21 average 5.8%

of public expenditure Finland 12.2% Japan 8.9% USA 13.1% OECD average 13.0% EU 21 average 11.5%

Source: Education at a Glance 2012, OECD

So What is the BIG Difference?

THE TEACHER

TEACHER PROFESSION IN FINLAND Popular profession among young people; only about

10-12 % of applicants can be admitted to teacher studies

Demanding profession; Master’s degree required Autonomous and creative profession

curriculum process of the school and municipality teachers are responsible for planning of the work

of their own school and autonomous in choosing their methods and materials

emphasis is in guiding the learning process of students and meeting the needs of all different learners

Teachers are trusted in the society and respected and supported in their work

Paradox: The better a general upper secondary school graduate is the more likely she wants to be a

teacher.

SHOW AND TELLQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Slide show here