Well, maybe the fuss is just about over. The Finns have revamped their education system and now they are rated #1 in the world. Can we expect to import their successful practices and institute them here? Greater Atlanta has the same population, not the same density, however, nor demographics.
· Their guiding principle was cooperation.
· They started with teacher education.
· They abolished national testing and most school inspections.
· Classroom size is limited to 20.
· School has become a place of personal discovery for students where they develop social competencies.
For more specific information see these sources: Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn About Educational Change in Finland? by Pasi Sahlberg
See the documentary, The Finland Phenomenon. http://www.2mminutes.com/products/pc/viewPrd.asp?idProduct=22
Sahlberg says, “A country’s educational system must be equitable, accessible, and flexible. Cooperation, not competition, is a principal pillar of educational system success. Also essential is a tremendous investment in teaching quality. But beware of standardized testing, as it will undermine the achievement of these objectives.”
What do you think? Can it work in the US? What are the most important takeaways ?
