Education in Finland

Interesting links:

Climate Guide (Finland): http://ilmasto-opas.fi/en/etusivu

The State of the Environment in Finland: www.environment.fi

Finnish Exchange Students Discuss Environmental Initiatives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zgHEBBmBm8

Prediction #1 for Finland’s System of Education: It will continue to lead (in 2 ways)

• A) Finland will continue to be a world leader in student achievement, based on international

assessments (PISA, TIMSS, etc.)

Reasoning: Everything is in place for years of success. Teaching is a highly-respected

profession with respect, autonomy, and worldwide recognition. Finland’s

teacher-training model is exemplary, and teacher turnover is low. There are

no annual standardized tests to waste money, instruction time, and energy

on. Their inclusive approach to special education has been proven to be

beneficial for all students, and has made Finland’s achievement gap the

lowest in the world. And, their pre-primary education system is so successful

that other countries (such as Canada) are beginning to emulate it.

B) Finland will continue to be a world leader in its approach to education

Reasoning: Finland is not trying to catch up to other countries. It has the luxury of being

at the top, where it can devote all of its resources toward further innovation.

And, with its mindset of leading rather than following, it will try new

strategies and approaches that other countries are not ready to risk trying. Its

position at the top is a huge advantage.

Prediction # 2: Other countries will try (unsuccessfully) to emulate Finland’s system of education

Reasoning: Success brings attention, and this attention is primarily from those

seeking success. Many countries have already spent considerable