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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFinnish education expert critiques U.S. school philosophy at URI lecture
Snip> In a fundamental sense, Sahlberg said, the United States is asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking, What will help students succeed in todays economy, the U.S. should be asking, What will encourage students to be active participants in a democracy? and What will make them be lifelong learners?
Sahlberg is also highly critical of the American emphasis on what he sees as a competitive, market-driven philosophy of public education, one that asks states to compete for federal dollars by agreeing to federally guided reforms.
Sahlberg also says that the growing popularity of school choice, in the form of charter and for-profit schools, undermines the traditional public schools by pulling valuable resources from students who need them most.
Finlands educational model is antithetical to the accountability movement that has gained currency in the United States under both Republican and Democratic presidents.
In the United States, testing has become a keystone of the school-reform movement.
In Finland, students arent formally tested until they are 18, and children arent graded until fifth grade.
More at: http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20131210-finnish-education-expert-critiques-u.s.-school-philosophy-at-uri-lecture.ece
LWolf
(46,179 posts)Karmadillo
(9,253 posts)learners. The all tests all the time boot stamping on the student face forever is a feature not a bug.
BillZBubb
(10,650 posts)The right wing doesn't want any education that might lead people to question the corporate overlords.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)malaise
(267,821 posts)It's that simple
BillZBubb
(10,650 posts)That's the reaction this will get in the USA!, even if his points are valid.
DrBulldog
(841 posts)arrogance and ignorance.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)BillZBubb
(10,650 posts)For the US, I think we're top heavy in spending on colleges.
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)schools was needed, as well as non-union teachers.
Finland schools are 98% unionized, and the vast majority are public.
Quixote1818
(28,904 posts)Waiting for Superman was completely full of shit!
zeemike
(18,998 posts)In Finland a teacher is a highly respected member of the community and paid very well.
In the US teachers always come under fire from right wingers and the pay is shit.
Nope as said above, the right does not want an educated population of life long lerners...they want stupid people who watch lots of TV reality shows.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)BillZBubb
(10,650 posts)Our schools are very different from those in Japan.
TBF
(31,922 posts)particularly Pearson - and not getting much in return. Maybe should try paying teachers decently instead ... looks like that is working much better in Finland.
DrBulldog
(841 posts)Our Congress is filled to the top with morons who are completely illiterate in STEM.
There is no "leader" worthy of the title in the White House for educational reform.
Corporations and Republicans want to destroy the public school system.
And as for education methodologies and systems, we don't listen to anyone outside our borders. In particular, we continue to throw masses of feeble-minded poorly-trained teachers at our kids. Many of our new teachers are those who do not have the ability or will to to do much of anything else. From the parent article: "Gaining admission to a teacher-preparation program is difficult. Teachers must complete a five-year master's program and, Sahlberg said, We dont allow anyone to graduate unless we know that [he or she] is going to be a good teacher. " Refereed research has shown that the top correlation for educational success across the world is providing for world-class teacher preparation.
So this is now no point and no hope. Thank gawd I was lucky to be born in the War Generation (before boomers), the last American generation that became smarter and better-educated than the previous generation. I got a great chance at enjoying life. But heaven help my kids . . .
fasttense
(17,301 posts)Like overpaid tutors. It is a common attitude held by the ubber rich. Teachers are just hired help. Teachers are there to put the finishing touches on rich kids. The hard part was being born into wealth. Since ubber rich children already have success, an education is just window dressing. So teachers provide a minor service and deserve minor pay and preparation.
liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)it comes to education.
burrowowl
(17,606 posts)He nails it. Corporations don't want educated people, just mindless drones!
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)Their population is very homogenous and theirs is also a culture where education is valued. The US needs to come up with solutions to meet our unique needs, taking from all countries. We also have an idea that students need be served, and it is up to the teacher to motivate the student to learn. Student apathy is never discussed, with the idea that a good teacher will motivate even the most disinterested student, but that is far more fantasy than reality. NCLB put the focus on the underperforming student and left the gifted or excellent student to fend for themselves. No wonder charter schools, with their promise of streamlined classrooms, is getting a foothold with parents who want advancement for their children. The whole system is being picked like a carcass.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)are absolutely the last thing in the world TPTB want.