Why Are Finnish Students Tops in Math?
- Sahlberg offers three possibilities. First more Finnish teachers specialize in the teaching of math during their university training. This means that all schools have a number of professionals who understand the nature of teaching, learning, and assessing mathematics. Second, there is a strong focus on problem solving, using math in new situations, and linking mathematics to the real world of students. Finally, there is close collaboration between the faculty of mathematics and the faculty of education at Finnish Universities and both faculties share responsibility for teacher education. Top science scores could be the result of a similar process which includes experimental hands-on science from the beginning.
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This is a nice summary.
However, there’s a minor flaw in the description of the current structure of the Finnish education system. There is no standardized test at age 16; the national matriculation exam is the final test of the upper secondary school (called lukio, somewhat equivalent to the American high school, even though more advanced topics such as differential calculus are taught).
Also, the test can be taken in three parts and students are free to choice which tests they will take, and will they take them in the spring or in the autumn.
Those who choose the vocational education never take any standardized tests, and the choice between upper secondary school and vocational school is not entirely, or not even largely nowadays, determined by academic success: many successful students also opt for vocational education.
An amazing summary and thank you DgBorn for clearing that up. Actually, I also heard that the NME is also taken at 16.
The overall picture I get is that things are much more customized in Finland- principals and administrators work with teachers to make them better at what they do best and teachers customize the student experience for each student helping them to achieve more in their strengths.
I wonder if things are also different from an employer perspective. I feel like employers are one of the key driving factors to get all of our students in the US to college and some employers won’t value a vocational or trade school like they will a top University. I wonder if the culture is different in Finland.