Finnish Phenomena 2012

EF Educational Tours 2012

Virginia School- University Partnership (VSUP) Educational DelegationFrance and Finland 2012

VSUP Educational Delegation• School Districts

AlbemarleCharlottesvilleFairfaxFauquierFredericksburgGloucesterMiddlesexPrince William

• Delegates(3) College/Univ.(1) SB Member(6) Superintendents(6) Central Office(7) Principals(3) Teachers(3) Retired Educators(8) Spouses/Guest

Additional Delegates from Virginia

Va. Secretary of EducationVa. Commission on YouthVa. Senate Finance Va. Board of EducationVa. Home for Girls and BoysWomen Educational Leaders of Va.(3) VSUP Representatives (5) EF Staff and Tour Directors(4) Other professions

55

Trip ItineraryNovember 26-25

Day 1- Travel overnight to ParisDay 2- Arrive in Paris at 2pm- Guided TourDay 3- Tour Muse’e du LouvreDay 4- Visit OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)

Day 5- Fly to HelsinkiDay 6- Visit to Hiidenkivi Comprehensive SchoolDay 7- Dr. Pasi Sahlberg at CIMO (Center for International Mobility

University of Helsinki/Tour of the Univ. Museum ArppeanumDay 8- Visit to Helsinki Lyceum /Viikki Teacher Training SchoolDay 9- Excursion to Tallinn, EstoniaDay 10- Flight home

Finnish Phenomena

Learning about

Finland

“Pasi Sahlberg provides the clearest analysis of how Finland’s schools were able to achieve their world standing during the last three decades.” — Catherine A. Cardno, Teacher’s College Press, 2011

“The book also addresses the role of teachers as well as the links between education reform and other sectors of society, and how smart education policies serve to raise a nation's prosperity and reduce poverty.”— Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education and Co-Director of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education at Stanford University

Top 10 Best Countries in the World

Finland#1

• Education• Health• Quality of Life• Economic Dynamism• Political Environment

English.news.cnn

What can we learn from Finland?Global Comparison United States FinlandPopulation 315 Million 1.1 MillionCapital Washington D.C. HelsinkiMedian Age 37.1 years 42.7 years

Economic Development 7th 3rd

Technological Advancement 5th 3rd

Child Health and Well Being 20th 3rd

Child Poverty 22nd 4th

Income Inequality Rate 15.9th 5.6th

Corruption Perception 24th 2nd

Unhappiness Index 11th 2nd Global Innovation Index 10th 4th

Educational ReformGlobal Reform Movement

• Competition• Accountability• Standardization• Fear

The Finnish Way

• Collaboration• Responsibility• Customization• Well being

What can we learn from the Finnish educational school system?

• Finnish children don’t start school until they are 7.

• Students take one mandatory standardized test at age 16.

• Finland spends around 30 percent less per student than the United States.

• 93% of Finns graduate from high school.

• 66% of students go to college- 43% vocational schools

• Creativity and problem solving play a central role in the classroom.

• Finland promotes the well-being of children.

• Every school must have a welfare team to advance child happiness in school, creating a safe, healthy environment for learning.

• Class sizes are small.• Students are encouraged to play,

have fun and embrace the arts.• Why do we focus on Finland? Jeff Dunn, August 2012

Good school for all, not for some, is the core value that drives education in Finland.

Key Facts about the Finnish Phenomenon

Individual schools have curriculum autonomy; individual teachers have classroom autonomy.

Teachers are responsible for developing a curriculum that assesses student progress of virtually every aspect of the children’s educational experience.

Teachers are paid to spend two hours a week on professional development.

Finland has a culture of collaboration between schools, not competition.

Finland has no private schools. Education emphasis is “equal opportunity to

all.” Finnish culture values childhood

independence. Finnish schools do not assign homework. Finnish schools have sports, but no sports

teams. Competition is not valued.

Finland recruits its teachers from the top 10% of graduates.

All Teachers are required to have a Master’s Degree.

Finnish teachers spend 592 hours per year teaching in class, less than the OECD average of 703 hours.

At least 2 out 5 Finnish school students benefit from some type of special intervention during their secondary schooling.

Teaching has the prestige as that of doctors and lawyers.

The Daily Riff; Be Smarter about Education; 2010

Early Childhood Intervention and Education

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 2002

Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• 75% of Students Ages 3-5 are in Day Care • 98 % of Students Ages 6 are in Day Care• Pre-School: Ages 6-7• Pre-K Teachers Must Have a Degree as Well • Finland Improved the Education System by Focusing on Equity

NCEE-Center on International Education Benchmarking2012

Finland’s Education System

Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• Compulsory School in Finland: Ages 7-16 or Grades 1-9

• Pre-School is Offered (Half Day) • In Finland, All Movies are Sub-titled (Closed

Captioned) • Finland Does not Have Private Schools (there are 75 Charter Schools)

Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development

Paris, November 19, 2012

Originally founded in 1947 to implement the Marshall Plan and help with the economic reconstruction of Europe, today the OECD promotes economic stability and fights poverty in its member nations.

PISA AT A GLANCE• 2009 assessment given to ½ million students in 74

countries. 2009 assessment focused mainly on reading, with additional assessments in math and science.

• Tests are designed to measure a student’s ability to extrapolate what they have learned, rather than basic facts. Students must apply what they have learned to real-life situations.

• Data is also collected on student backgrounds and the way schools are run.

• Tests are a combination of • multiple-choice and open-ended • questions.

2009 PISA RESULTSUnited States

Finland

Mean score and rank Mean score and rank

READING 500 – 14th 536 – 3rd

MATH 487 - 25th 541 – 2nd

SCIENCE 502 -17th 544 – 1st

Source: OECD (2010), PISA 2009 Results: What Students Know and Can Do: Student Performance in Reading, Mathematics and Science (Volume I), OECD Publishing.1 2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/888932366636

FACTORS IN U.S. PISA RESULTS

• Significant variability in reading test performance by region: Northeast – 510, Midwest – 500, West – 486, South – 483.

• Variability in performance by socio-economic status.

• Has one of the highest expenditure per student rates among OECD countries, but still in middle of the pack.

• Factors like smaller class sizes, transportation costs and sports programs make US costs higher.

• U.S. one of the few countries where low-performing schools get fewer resources.

© OECD 2010 Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for the United States

FACTORS IN FINLAND’S PISA RESULTS

• Teacher autonomy National curriculum is

merely a framework; teachers use own discretion to plan curriculum.

Emphasis on teaching students how to learn and how to assess their own learning.

• Teacher QualityAll teachers have

masters degrees. Selective admissions to

teacher training programs: must have top Matriculation exam scores, take a written test, interview. In 2010, 6,600 applicants for 660 spots.

© OECD 2010 Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for the United States

More Factors in Finland’s Results

• No standardized assessments.Assessment and

accountability is at the teacher and school level.

• Equity Little variation in quality

of educational experience among schools in different areas and among different socio-economic levels.

© OECD 2010 Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for the United States

Average performanceof 15-year-olds in reading – extrapolate and apply

High reading performance

Low reading performance … 17 countries perform below this line

1525354555440.000

460.000

480.000

500.000

520.000

540.000

560.000

Shanghai-China

KoreaFinlandHong Kong-China

Singapore CanadaNew Zealand

JapanAustralia

NetherlandsBelgiumNorway, EstoniaSwitzerlandPoland,IcelandUnited States LiechtensteinSwedenGermany,

IrelandFrance, Chinese TaipeiDenmarkUnited KingdomHungary,Portugal

Macao-China ItalyLatvia

Slovenia GreeceSpain

Czech RepublicSlovak Republic, CroatiaIsraelLuxembourg,

Austria LithuaniaTurkey

Dubai (UAE) Russian Federation

Chile

Serbia

Northeast

Midwest

WestSouth

Math US

Science US

SAMPLE READING QUESTIONS

TAKE THE TEST: SAMPLE QUESTIONS FROM OECD’S PISA ASSESSMENTS - ISBN 978-92-64-05080-8 - © OECD 2009

Average performanceof 15-year-olds in mathematics – extrapolate and apply

High mathematics performance

Low mathematics performance … 21 countries perform below this line

1525354555440.000

460.000

480.000

500.000

520.000

540.000

560.000

Hong Kong-China

KoreaChinese Taipei

FinlandLiechtenstein

Switzerland

Japan CanadaNetherlandsMacao-China

New ZealandBelgium

AustraliaGermanyEstonia,

IcelandDenmarkSloveniaNorwayFranceSlovak Republic,Austria,

PolandSweden,Czech RepublicUnited Kingdom,

HungaryLuxembourg

United StatesIreland, PortugalSpainItalyLatviaLithuania

Russian FederationGreece

Croatia

Dubai (UAE)

Israel TurkeySerbia

Singapore (565)Shanghai-China (600)

TAKE THE TEST: SAMPLE QUESTIONS FROM OECD’S PISA ASSESSMENTS - ISBN 978-92-64-05080-8 - © OECD 2009

Average performanceof 15-year-olds in science – extrapolate and apply

High science performance

Low science performance … 20 countries perform below this line

1525354555440

460

480

500

520

540

560

Finland

Hong Kong-China

SingaporeJapan Korea

New ZealandCanadaEstoniaAustraliaNetherlandsChinese TaipeiGermany LiechtensteinSwitzerland

United KingdomSlovenia Macao-China

PolandIrelandBelgium,

HungaryUnited States,Czech Republic Norway , DenmarkFrance IcelandSwedenAustria, Latvia Portugal

LithuaniaSlovak Republic Italy Spain

CroatiaLuxembourg

Russian Federation

GreeceDubai (UAE)

Israel Turkey

ChileSerbia

Shanghai-China (575)

Lessons From Successful Schools• Incentives, accountability,

knowledge management .• A commitment to

education and the belief that competencies can be learned by all children.

• Clear ambitious goals that are shared across the system– emphasis on metacognitive instruction.

• Investing resources where they can make the most difference.

• Attracting high-quality, highly-trained teachers.

• A learning system with a constant monitoring of progress, international successes, and anticipation of future challenges.

• Coherence of policies and practices: (without excessive control).

© OECD 2010 Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for the United States

Finnish Educational System • Typical Finnish School is Approximately 400

Students • Parents are paid to Stay Home with their Kids:

Ages 0-3. • School Board Composition: Chair, principal,

two parents, a teacher, a school staff member and two students.

Finnish Educational System

• Languages: Languages of Concentration-Finnish, Swedish and English (other languages: French, German, Italian, and Spanish)

• School System Emphasis: – in the US, there is an integration of sports in

schools; – in Finland, sports are offered as clubs after school, completely separate

Finnish Educational System • Culture and Emphasis of the School System:– US focuses on Competition, Standards and

Accountability – Finland focuses on Cooperation, Equality, and

Individualization • Compulsory Education:• Grades 1-9; • Grade 10 and thereafter is Optional

Finnish Educational System

• Secondary Education: – After Grade Nine, 55% of students matriculate into

secondary school (upon acceptance)– 40% Attend a Vocational/Apprentice Training

• There is a Matriculation Exam to Enter College • Typical Age of a Matriculating College Student

is Approximately 20 years

CIMO

• On November 22, 2012, the Delegation Visited CIMO

• CIMO: Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• Dr. Pasi Sahlberg: Director of CIMO at the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture

Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• Finnish Systems of Education– Ministry of Education and 300 Educational

Municipalities – The Ministry of Education Develops the

Curriculum (monitors and evaluates as well)

Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• CIMO: Promotes International Awareness and Assists in the Study Abroad Effort of Foreign Educational Entities

• Costs of Education: All Levels of Education in Finland are Free (Higher Learning as well)

• Duties of the Ministry of Education: • Legislation • Policy Development • Funding for Education

Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• Educational Reform Began in the 1970s• At that time schools were primarily private • In 1970s, Most Students Lived in Poverty • School Reform was the Main Catalyst for

Economic Improvement

Center for International Mobility and Cooperation

• Reading on Grade Level Makes no Sense to the Finns; students are Evaluated Based on Individual Potential

• Finnish Instructors are Trained to Know Content, but also must learn about Child Development

• Finland’s Educational System is Highly Individualized• “Our Students vs. My Students”

VIIKKI TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL

VIKKI BACKGROUND

• Established in 1869.• Affiliated with the University

of Helsinki.• One of 13 Teacher-Training

Schools in Finland.• “Maintain a high standard in

curriculum design and teaching while developing diverse methods for practice teaching and the use of educational technology.”

Building

• Current building erected in 2003.

• Classrooms grouped in subject-specific units around a common area.

• 2 auditoriums, library, gymnasium, cafeteria.

POPULATION

STUDENTS:• Elementary school: 421• Secondary School: 256• Upper Secondary

School: 256TEACHERS: 102UNIVERSITY TRAINEES: 200OTHER STAFF: 30

DECIMAL LESSON – STUDENTS ROTATE THROUGH STATIONS

6th Grade Math Station

TEACHER SCHEDULETime Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday8:00-8:45 *Finnish

(Mother Tongue)

Religion

9:00-9:45 Religion (4th Grade)

Religion (1st Grade)

Handicrafts Religion Religion (1st Grade)

9:45-10:30 Finnish History Handicrafts Math (1/2 class in English lesson)

Finnish

10:45-11:30 Phys. Ed. History Art Finnish12:00-12:45 Physics/

ChemistryMath (1/2 class in French Lesson)

Finnish Art Math

1:15-2:00 Biology/Geometry

Math (1/2 class in English lesson)

Math Math (1/2 class in English lesson)

*Finnish

2:00-2:45

CAFETERIA

LIBRARY AND PLAYGROUND

STUDENT STORAGE

STUDENT TEACHERS

MAKING GEOBOARDS

Elementary Classroom

TEACHING STUDENTS SELF-ASSESSMENT

HIIDENKIVI COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

HIIDENKIVI BACKGROUND

• Founded in 2004• 760 students• 65 teachers• Grades 1-9, ages 7-16• Upper school (7th-9th) from 2 local primary

schools.• 10% non-native speakers• 10% special needs

PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES

• Inclusive• Focus on learning how to learn• Cooperative learning and co-teaching• Collaborative learning• Pupil involvement in curriculum • Green Flag School (Environmentally conscious)• 60 minute classes (4-6 per day)

STUDENT GUIDES

CLASSROOM PODS

CLASSROOMS

LIBRARY AND PROJECT ROOM

HALLWAYS

ARTS CLASSES

SCHOOL IMPRESSIONS

• Overall, the schools were warm, inviting environments where students were engaged in learning.

• Heavy emphasis on the arts in addition to academic subjects.

• Emphasis on free time between classes and student independence.

Pasi Sahlberg’s Recommendations for Educational Reform in the United States

#1 More time to play!

#2 Reevaluate our Standardized Testing Years and Procedures

#3 Provide Vocational opportunities for students