#10 would've killed me, as I never once ate school-provided food, which was uniformly awful.
#12 is the only one which is really wrong. Learning occurs only at the individual level, and group projects do not allow for the strong to help the weak, but allow the weak to skate by on the efforts of the strong. Every group project I've ever been associated with worked that way.
But we were all free-range when we were kids, walking to the school by ourselves, even in first grade.
#12 depends on how closely the teacher evaluates the project. I will say that a lot of the group work in early grades is done in school, and the teachers can see who contributes and who does not. Since teachers have a lot of leeway in evaluating the students, they do not need to award a uniform grade to all involved. They have no problem discussing this with the student and parents. It is also a bit cultural. In a nation of 5.5 million people with a huge landmass and a "we're all in it together" mentality, skating doesn't go over well. Alas, yet another difference from the USA.
I really enjoyed the article. I often wish some things were different in US education, but we also seem to have a culture where everyone has a critique. Real changes are hard.
Is the teaching profession different in Finland?
Can you comment on local vs state/national curriculum in Finland?
I think it's kind of funny that the website says they don't use the term "basic education" anymore, but they just went back to it here in our town. Well, at least the Finnish phrase for it.
Teacher's education is different, but in-line with university education here in general. Students apply for specific programs straight out of grade 12- there is no "figure out a major later." So 12th graders apply for an elementary education program- usually a combined bachelor's/master's program that takes about 5 years to complete. (note: the only factor in admission to university is the 12th grade matriculation exams). That is why most teachers have master's degrees. Subject teachers in grade 7+ must have a master's degree in the subject that they teach, and there are minimum credit hours required if they want to teach additional subjects, along with requirements for teaching. Again, picked when in grade 12 so that the entire university experience is tailored to the career.
There are basically two level of government when it comes to teaching.
For elementary/middle school, there is a national curriculum which sets required subjects to be taught and the learning standards that must be achieved, but the local schools have a lot of leeway in how they implement it, as long as the national standards are met. I think the funding split is 25% national 75% local for primary and middle school. Class teachers in grades 1-6 have a lot of leeway to tailor their classes and in how they evaluate their students, but not in the standard to which they are evaluated. They need to be strict on the national standards because middle-school grades largely determine where you go to high school.
Even in the very young grades, students are evaluated honestly and directly, with three-part conferences (student, teacher, and parents) a regular part of it. I love it when the teacher asks the student to self-assess- even in early grades, the kids basically know how they're doing.
Great article Pete. I have a lot of comments next time we talk. How we relate to all children, and respect them as future adults should begin at home and get fostered in schools.
A lot of Americans have forgotten that responsibility isn't taught by schooling, but taught by being given it.
#10 would've killed me, as I never once ate school-provided food, which was uniformly awful.
#12 is the only one which is really wrong. Learning occurs only at the individual level, and group projects do not allow for the strong to help the weak, but allow the weak to skate by on the efforts of the strong. Every group project I've ever been associated with worked that way.
But we were all free-range when we were kids, walking to the school by ourselves, even in first grade.
#12 depends on how closely the teacher evaluates the project. I will say that a lot of the group work in early grades is done in school, and the teachers can see who contributes and who does not. Since teachers have a lot of leeway in evaluating the students, they do not need to award a uniform grade to all involved. They have no problem discussing this with the student and parents. It is also a bit cultural. In a nation of 5.5 million people with a huge landmass and a "we're all in it together" mentality, skating doesn't go over well. Alas, yet another difference from the USA.
Makes me nostalgic - that's how I grew up right here in the States... admittedly 60+ years ago.
The same, although not quite so far back.
I really enjoyed the article. I often wish some things were different in US education, but we also seem to have a culture where everyone has a critique. Real changes are hard.
Is the teaching profession different in Finland?
Can you comment on local vs state/national curriculum in Finland?
You can find some good information in English here:
https://www.oph.fi/en/education-system/basic-education
I think it's kind of funny that the website says they don't use the term "basic education" anymore, but they just went back to it here in our town. Well, at least the Finnish phrase for it.
Teacher's education is different, but in-line with university education here in general. Students apply for specific programs straight out of grade 12- there is no "figure out a major later." So 12th graders apply for an elementary education program- usually a combined bachelor's/master's program that takes about 5 years to complete. (note: the only factor in admission to university is the 12th grade matriculation exams). That is why most teachers have master's degrees. Subject teachers in grade 7+ must have a master's degree in the subject that they teach, and there are minimum credit hours required if they want to teach additional subjects, along with requirements for teaching. Again, picked when in grade 12 so that the entire university experience is tailored to the career.
There are basically two level of government when it comes to teaching.
For elementary/middle school, there is a national curriculum which sets required subjects to be taught and the learning standards that must be achieved, but the local schools have a lot of leeway in how they implement it, as long as the national standards are met. I think the funding split is 25% national 75% local for primary and middle school. Class teachers in grades 1-6 have a lot of leeway to tailor their classes and in how they evaluate their students, but not in the standard to which they are evaluated. They need to be strict on the national standards because middle-school grades largely determine where you go to high school.
Even in the very young grades, students are evaluated honestly and directly, with three-part conferences (student, teacher, and parents) a regular part of it. I love it when the teacher asks the student to self-assess- even in early grades, the kids basically know how they're doing.
Great article Pete.
Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.
Great article Pete. I have a lot of comments next time we talk. How we relate to all children, and respect them as future adults should begin at home and get fostered in schools.