Comparing Countries: Singapore, Korea, Finland

As I read I was impressed with the amount of progress made by Finland, Korea, and Singapore in a relatively short time span. It shows what a focused vision can do for education.  In contrast, the US has so many opposing views that it’s hard to get a single vision for education, and unlike these countries, educators are left out of the equation.  The people deciding what’s best for education are often not educators but businessmen.  Even if they do come up with a good idea, there will be at least one group opposed to it.  This division makes it hard to implement anything for an extended period of time like these three countries.

The common changes made by all three countries include improved teacher education, curriculum revisions, and adequate and equitable funding. 

Teacher education

The common thread is that each country has invested in quality teaching through teacher training programs, selecting top candidates to become teachers and ongoing education.  In my opinion, just about anyone can become a teacher here which contributes to the devaluing of teaching as a profession. 

I look at my most recent experience with a student teacher.  She was so bad that not only will she be ineffective, but she will actually harm kids.  She was pushed through and passed, though, and now she’s out there with a teaching certificate.  She won’t be hired in my district, but sadly could end up in a small district with high needs where they have trouble attracting qualified teachers.  Once she’s hired, it will be next to impossible to get rid of her which is another complaint I have with our system.  It should be easier to get rid of bad teachers.

Curriculum

All three countries have a national curriculum which encourages higher order thinking, inquiry and problem-solving.  Even with their national curriculum, teachers are trusted with some autonomy as far as how and what to teach.  It’s easier to trust people who you know have been adequately trained. 

I couldn’t help comparing the curriculum from these three countries to the Common Core State Standards.  It sounds like they may have used these countries’ ideas when creating it.  I know everyone isn’t on board with a national curriculum, but I think as far as promoting higher order thinking and problem-solving, it is a step in the right direction. 

Adequate and equitable funding

I was impressed with how Singapore took a diverse culture and created an equitable system for all.  I can’t even begin to figure out how to make education equitable here in the US.  Maybe more federal money to schools in high poverty areas where the tax base is lower?  I don’t know…

 Conclusion

I wonder if a major reform could happen at the state level here.  Our country is just too big and too diverse for a national reform, but I wonder if each state could do what these three countries have done, and create an educational system that works for their particular needs.  This would take time, someone to lead who is knowledgeable and a clear vision.  I don’t really see that happening.