March 5, 2021
March 5, 2021
Finland is known as an innovative country, and it’s something they really show off when it comes to their education system. Finland’s schools are consistently at the top of the pack as some of the highest performing in the developed world. To put it in perspective: Finland is ranked by the Program for International Student Assessment as the 12th best school system in the world, while the United States is number 36.
So, what does Finland do differently? A lot, as it turns out! Let’s take a look at the ways their school system is different from the US, and three things we can learn from the success of the Finnish education system.
Why is Finland’s Education System So Successful?
So, what is it about Finland’s schools that ranks them so much higher than schools in the United States? There are several areas where Finland really excels. They include:
Less Standardized Testing
In the United States, it often feels like students are constantly taking standardized tests. Driven by Common Core mandates as well as the No Child Left Behind Act, students in the U.S. take standardized tests every year to track their performance between third and eighth grade. But often, these tests don’t help to teach students – in fact, a lot of critics warn that U.S. students are simply being taught to take the test rather than to absorb the learning materials.
By contrast, Finnish schools only give one standardized test during a student’s entire education. It’s called the National Matriculation Examination and it’s given toward the end of high school. It’s also graded by the student’s teachers and not computers. The entire Finnish education system focuses more on abilities rather than a content-based curriculum. This translates to success in life, not just in school.
More Play Time
Homework isn’t something Finland schools are big on. In fact, studies have found that children in Finland spend only about three hours per week on homework, while American children spend an average of six. This is due to the fact that Finns put a lot of value in play as well as free time.
Finns take it one step further when it comes to class instruction time as well. Under their laws, teachers are required to give 15 minutes of free time for every 45 minutes of instruction. Compare that to American schools, where kids get only about 30 minutes of recess time for the whole school day. It is thought that lack of play in American schools is what raises children’s risk for anxiety as well as other issues that can impact mental and physical health.
Tuition-Free College
Another notable thing about Finnish higher education is that any student accepted into programs at Finnish colleges and universities enjoys their program free of tuition fees. Yes, you read that right – in Finland, bachelor’s degree programs, as well as most master’s and doctoral programs, are completely free.
This frees up students to explore their educational opportunities without accruing mountains of debt, unlike their American counterparts. In American higher education, the average debt for college students comes to about $30,000.
Valued Teachers
Teaching is one of the most highly regarded professions in Finland, and getting into teaching is a bit more difficult than it is in the United States. In Finland, only about 10% of people who apply to teaching programs are admitted, making the profession a lot more competitive. That may explain why in Finland, primary school teachers are treated similarly to how professors at universities are treated in the U.S.
Finnish teachers also teach fewer hours each day and get paid more than the average American teacher. Higher pay and fewer working hours make Finnish teachers less overworked and, as a result, better able to help their students excel.
What The U.S. Can Learn From The Finnish Education System
While no one is asking the United States to create a carbon copy of the Finnish school system, there are some important lessons that could easily translate to the American system and have a significant impact on the lives of students in the process.
1. Treat teachers right
First, recruiting talented, well-trained teaches and providing them with autonomy is a must. If you know any person who is a teacher, you know you’re hard-pressed to find a more dedicated individual when it comes to teaching children and young adults. Teachers have a passion for what they do and should be rewarded for it.
American policymakers should put more trust in teachers and give them the resources they need to do their job instead of hindering it with copious amounts of standardized testing and canned curriculum. Schools in the U.S. must invest in ongoing training and systems of support as they provide teachers with the time and power to integrate new ideas and methods into their teaching.
2. Focus on life skills
Second, we should focus on areas of skills and knowledge that contribute to a successful life for students. That means teaching them not simply facts and figures, but also how to think for themselves, learn effectively, manage their daily lives, interact with others, be culturally competent, express themselves, and actively participate in their own futures.
3. Give students agency
Finally, providing students with agency over their own learning is paramount. This can be accomplished by giving them more free time, less homework, and more physical activity in their days. Healthier lunches are a must as well. This type of model makes students the central figure in learning and creates a framework that prioritizes their wellbeing over high test scores.
Featured image by moren hsu on Unsplash