Thursday, January 19, 2012

Printed: Finland's Secret

So we all know that Finland's education system rocks.  What I didn't know is this:

"What may come as a surprise is that Finland has neither engaged in researching its own, distinctive reform measures, nor generated change knowledge to steer education policy implementation. Instead, Finnish researchers have relied on the theories and insights of their international peers... Education ideas from the United States have played an especially significant role... Finnish authorities have likewise made significant use of ideas from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; the European Commission; and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. In short, the Finns have been open to learning from other education systems."  - EdWeek

Learning from others who are doing the same thing next door.  Genius!  

Equally as genius: "Second, formulation and implementation of education policies have been built upon close cooperation with education authorities, municipalities that govern the schools, and—through Finland's Trade Union of Education—teachers."  Teachers?  Who work with kids?  Informing policy about kids?!?  It's so crazy it just might work!

Another gem: "The key driver of education-development policy in Finland has been providing equal and positive learning opportunities for all children and securing their well-being, including their nutrition, health, safety, and overall happiness... They have not endorsed student testing and school ranking as the path to improvement..."

It's not rocket science, people.

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