Finland, Finland, Finland… I am beginning to have a Marsha Brady complex about Finland. Why are they the pinnacle of education systems and how did they get there? I have to admit that I admire and respect many of the things they have implemented and have put into practice. However, with the drastic difference in diversity and cultural norms will it work here in the States?
Reading through the supplemental articles I was enticed on how Finland structured their pre-schools programs. The education during these early years is not focused on academics but social and emotional development. Finland focuses on educating the whole child so they are prepared to step into the world of academia when the time arrives. I find this to be a very innovative and creative idea and it seems to be working well in Finland. Implementing this in the U.S. would be a great step but changes would have to occur. I feel that some pre-schools would need to implement some very basic academic concepts for the program to get the most value. It just needs to be basic things such as ability to hold and use a pencil, basic concepts of print and exposure but not mastery of the alphabet and numbers. The reason I believe this is that some kids are not getting this at home. I have seen it personally. I have never been to Finland so cannot hold this next thought to be fact but I am going to venture to say that the majority of Finnish kids do have exposure to these things at home.
As well I noticed a theme in a few of the articles that the goal in the education system is to bring the lower students up to the mean, and not focus on pushing their gifted students. One article mentioned that is a future goal of theirs but not one that is implemented now. To me this is not providing equal education. Yes the higher students do not have the pressure that kids in other countries might have but they are not reaching their highest potential. Here in the states most of us realize we are not reaching the needs of both populations, those not at grade level and those far beyond grade level. However, it is our philosophy and goal to do so. To ‘equally’ educate all of our students we need to take time to make sure we take each student from where they are at and direct them to where they can be.
Finland has a great standard of education and it is tempting to jump on a plane and look for a teaching job there, but that is not going to happen. So what we in the States need to do is look at them as a model and adapt their system to how it will most benefit us. Their exact model is not a perfect fit for us but we can use it as guide to improve the broken system we have now.
I think education needs to be more individualized with the States. The U.S. needs to stop thinking that all children in every State learns the same way. With all the diversity that this country has, it seems easier to make one set of standards and have everyone teach the same to the same test. But who benefits from that? In his book The Dumbest Generation, David Berliner explains that students in the U.S. are getting lazier, and care more about their free time. With being taught in the era of No Child Left Behind, many students think they only need to know what is on a multiple choice test. This is not benefiting anyone. Test scores on the NAPE, which just looks at students in the U.S., have lowered.
ReplyDeleteIf individual states were given the support by the federal government, more change like Finland, might be able to happen. As long as the U.S. thinks all students are the same, the system will not change as well.
I like the idea of a preschool filing the gaps. But unless the government completely funds the program, for more then five years, I'm not sure it will work here.
ReplyDeleteAs a former preschool teacher I completely see the great importance of a pre-kindergarten experience for all American children. I can’t even imagine how prepared our children would be for school if they could all enter Kindergarten on the same playing field. As it is now, there are so many that are advanced due to the ability of their families to send them to preschool or the amount of involvement at home. On the flip side are those who come to Kindergarten with very few “school” skills. They aren’t able to hold a pencil, color or identify the front of a book. To me, the facts are painful as I know where my own children were at the onset of school and where so many others are starting at.
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ReplyDeleteI want to work in Finland, do you think they would find my college experience of high quality? I'm not so sure they would. Do all Finland teachers have to be certified through their educational system in order to get a job.
ReplyDeleteI'm just curious, I would like to see what requirements are in place for employment and are they comparable to U.S. teacher programs. I would also imagine that Finland teachers have to fit a certain mold, just as the students do in order to attend school there. How nice it would be to have the pick of the litter.
Good questions Mera...and Breanna - Marsha, Marsha, Marsha - too funny!
ReplyDeleteMera, sadly I do not think we could get hired there coming from the States. They probably don't hold our teacher education programs in the same regards as theirs. We would probably have to go through more extensive training to even be considered. However, I do think that we would make fabulous teachers there!!! Though I enjoy working with diversity and troubled kids, just not 8 all in one class, so I think I will only use my passport for a visit and not a move. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that Heidi made a great point about leaving more control within in the states and letting the federal government support the systems but not direct them. In general, the smaller the system the more effective and efficient it seems to be.
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