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U.S.A. vs. Finland: An Education Battle

   

U.S.A. vs. Finland: An Education Battle

  It is not uncommon knowledge that Finland's students out-perform American students. The United States focuses on strict curriculum and standardized tests, while Finland does not do standardized tests (Colagrossi, 2018). Teachers in Finland have more freedom to teach without the pressure of covering specific test content.  many American students are taught to quickly memorize information just to pass a test—only to forget it soon after—rather than developing a deep, lasting understanding of the material.

    Teacher qualifications are also more rigorous in Finland, where educators are required to hold a master’s degree (Colagrossi, 2018).  If the USA were to follow these standards, it could potentially reduce teacher turnover, and there would fewer people going into education just to coach and have summer's off (no offense to coaches! I am one!). This approach would likely attract professionals who are truly committed to teaching and view it as a serious, long-term career.

    One major factor that likely contributes to Finland’s educational success, possibly even more than the absence of standardized testing is that children in Finland don't start school until they are 7 years old. Basically, second grade! Prior to that, they get to be kids- no expectation of sitting in a classroom most of the day. According to the World Economic Forum "There are only 9 years of compulsory school that Finnish children are required to attend. Everything past the ninth grade or at the age of 16 is optional." (Colagrossi, 2018). This is an interesting thing to comprehend as an American. But for those that know higher education isn't the path they want, it makes sense. By that age, they've already learned the fundamentals, and forcing uninterested teens to stay in school may not lead to meaningful learning. Additionally, Finland's school days are shorter- starting later and ending earlier than American schools, and students will often have the same teacher for up to six years. This long-term teacher-student relationship can be especially beneficial for students with higher learning needs, as it gives the teacher time to truly understand how each child learns and what motivates them—key ingredients for a successful education experience.

   According to a table showing a snapshot of school life and home support, 6.6% of American students reported being absent three or more days, compared to just 3.4% of Finnish students. When asked if they felt safe at school outside of the classroom, 87.3% of U.S. students said yes, while 92% of Finnish students reported feeling safe. In another report, 33.3% of American students said they had witnessed a fight at school that resulted in someone getting hurt, whereas only 14.3% of Finnish students said the same (OECD, 2023).  this suggests that Finnish students generally have a more positive and secure school experience. This could be due to factors like shorter school days or the consistency of having the same teacher for multiple years.

    Overall, Finland’s education system stands out as a model of equity, student well-being, and long-term learning. By eliminating standardized testing, starting school at an older age, allowing children to have shorter school days, and investing in more qualified teachers, Finland has created an environment where students can thrive both academically and developmentally. While the American system is structured differently, there are clear takeaways that could inspire improvement—especially when it comes to supporting teachers, reducing pressure from testing, and prioritizing the needs of the child.


Resources/References:

Tables and figures in PISA Volumes I and II (Snapshot of life at school and support from home):

OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 database. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://www.oecd.org/en/data/datasets/pisa-2022-database.html#tables

Colagrossi, M. (2018, September 10). 10 reasons why Finland’s education system is the best in the world. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2018/09/10-reasons-why-finlands-education-system-is-the-best-in-the-world

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