Evaluation of the Education System in Finland
Its interesting to think about how the United States is around 17th on the list of the most effective education systems in the world. Most people and countries consider the United States to be one of the most powerful countries in the world. Is this going to change with all these countries better educating their children? Tough to say, but today I wanted to look at one of the highest ranked education systems and what makes it so successful. The education system in Finland is very unique, and has some very interesting parts to it.
Part #1- They don't start school until the age of 7-
Finland allows kids to have a actual childhood. The children learn from growing up in the world. They learn very similarly to when a kid touches a stove and learns what hot is. The process of allowing these kids to have more of a childhood also allows them to be a little more mature and ready for sitting in class for long periods of time. Contrast that to the United States which starts their kids in school at age five.
Part #2- Limited Testing/Rarely Homework and Exams (until teenage years)
The rational is to allow kids the freedom to learn from the world. Additionally, it helps kids to enjoy school more than in the United States, where the dreaded thing about school is homework. The finnish also only have one standardized test, which occurs when the kids are age 16. A common complaint against the United States system is that teachers have to teach for tests, because of the year end test. Many people believe that this limits the creativity that teachers/professors can have while teaching the class material.The finnish however do not have to worry about standardized tests which allow the teachers more flexibility in their teaching.
Part #3- Teachers are respected highly
In order to become a finnish teacher the student needs to be top in their class, get a masters degree, and pass interviews and other qualifications to ensure that they are the best candidate. Although they only get paid two thousand more than the teachers here in the United States, they are respected more. Teachers in Finland are seen as the same status as Doctors, and are treated as someone well educated and respected. I believe the this ensures the best candidates apply for the job, also, it helps put an increased effort on doing well in your job in order to not get overtaken by new candidates.
Part#4- Science Classes have only 16 students-
This allows the classes to be able to perform experiments daily. I thought this was interesting, because it allows for the students to have more of a hands on learning style in science. Science was one of the toughest classes for me in school, and I feel like I would have benefited from this hands on learning style. Its also common that with fewer students, teachers are able to get to know each students learning style better, which allows for a more personal learning style.
Part#5- Longer Recess/Shorter days
The finnish schools start around 9 a clock, allowing the kids more time to rest to prepare for the day. Also the school day only lasts till around 2 a clock, making for a much shorter school day than most US schools. The finnish schools also have 75 minute recesses compared to the much shorter 25 minute United States one. This allows for the students and the teachers more time to learn or prepare for the material. Because the students don't have a final test at the end of the year, this allows for them to dig deep into the material throughout the year. This schedule also allows teachers more time to prepare for classes.
These things really apply the principle that less is more. The United States sometimes has the opposite view as this with trying to do a lot with the education system. Many critics of our education system point to the fact that American schools are so regulated that it does not allow for the creative aspects of the teachers or the students to shine through. If we could start to apply some of the principles that the finnish apply to their education systems, I believe that our education system would begin to be more effective. I believe that it would take a lot of the stress and the hate away from school. Its proven that when we are overly stressed we do not perform as well. Let us learn from our finnish brothers and sisters.
Part #1- They don't start school until the age of 7-
Finland allows kids to have a actual childhood. The children learn from growing up in the world. They learn very similarly to when a kid touches a stove and learns what hot is. The process of allowing these kids to have more of a childhood also allows them to be a little more mature and ready for sitting in class for long periods of time. Contrast that to the United States which starts their kids in school at age five.
Part #2- Limited Testing/Rarely Homework and Exams (until teenage years)
The rational is to allow kids the freedom to learn from the world. Additionally, it helps kids to enjoy school more than in the United States, where the dreaded thing about school is homework. The finnish also only have one standardized test, which occurs when the kids are age 16. A common complaint against the United States system is that teachers have to teach for tests, because of the year end test. Many people believe that this limits the creativity that teachers/professors can have while teaching the class material.The finnish however do not have to worry about standardized tests which allow the teachers more flexibility in their teaching.
Part #3- Teachers are respected highly
In order to become a finnish teacher the student needs to be top in their class, get a masters degree, and pass interviews and other qualifications to ensure that they are the best candidate. Although they only get paid two thousand more than the teachers here in the United States, they are respected more. Teachers in Finland are seen as the same status as Doctors, and are treated as someone well educated and respected. I believe the this ensures the best candidates apply for the job, also, it helps put an increased effort on doing well in your job in order to not get overtaken by new candidates.
Part#4- Science Classes have only 16 students-
This allows the classes to be able to perform experiments daily. I thought this was interesting, because it allows for the students to have more of a hands on learning style in science. Science was one of the toughest classes for me in school, and I feel like I would have benefited from this hands on learning style. Its also common that with fewer students, teachers are able to get to know each students learning style better, which allows for a more personal learning style.
Part#5- Longer Recess/Shorter days
The finnish schools start around 9 a clock, allowing the kids more time to rest to prepare for the day. Also the school day only lasts till around 2 a clock, making for a much shorter school day than most US schools. The finnish schools also have 75 minute recesses compared to the much shorter 25 minute United States one. This allows for the students and the teachers more time to learn or prepare for the material. Because the students don't have a final test at the end of the year, this allows for them to dig deep into the material throughout the year. This schedule also allows teachers more time to prepare for classes.
These things really apply the principle that less is more. The United States sometimes has the opposite view as this with trying to do a lot with the education system. Many critics of our education system point to the fact that American schools are so regulated that it does not allow for the creative aspects of the teachers or the students to shine through. If we could start to apply some of the principles that the finnish apply to their education systems, I believe that our education system would begin to be more effective. I believe that it would take a lot of the stress and the hate away from school. Its proven that when we are overly stressed we do not perform as well. Let us learn from our finnish brothers and sisters.
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