The long-term holistic well-being of a country's future highly depends on its
education system as children are the most important natural resources of a nation. Recent
scores from (PISA) (Programme for International Student Assessment) measures which states
have the best education system for their children ("What US Schools Can Learn From
Finland’S Approach To Education (SSIR)"). Over the years, Finland has consecutively won
international praise for providing the best education. On the other hand, the U.S. has had a
lower rank than Finland as far as education system are concerned. Schools in Finland have
remarkably shown a small variability of about 8% both within and across the schools. This is
to say that; even low performing schools prepare students to achieve their best in their
individual and professional lives. This essay expounds on how Finland's education is way
better than the education system in the U.S. and how the U.S. education reformers can
borrow some of Finland's education strategies.
Several decades earlier, Finland's education system was not always above par. Most
students in the 1970s scored very poorly in mathematics and science (Social Problems :
Continuity And Change). However, today, the country has taken the appropriate measures to
improve its education system. In American history, formal education has considerably
undergone several changes intending to enhance her education systems. As much as the U.S.
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has tried to improve formal education, some factors such as race, ethnicity, and gender have
proven to be a significant challenge still.
In comparison to other international education systems, the U.S. still lags even though this is
where the top colleges and universities are found. How Finland has triumphed to achieve its
result is quite relevant for American education reformers. Instead of focusing on the
establishment of new schools, technology, and education programs, the U.S. should focus
more on establishing a sustainable approach that leverages school infrastructures.
One strategy that the U.S. can feasibly borrow from Finland and incorporate in her
system is how Finland considerers the teaching profession as vital to her education system.
Finland's success is attributed to fishing out the right people for the teaching profession,
training them to be competent instructors, and putting the necessary measures into place to
ensure all students benefit from the exceptional studies. Most training programs for teachers
are quite competitive and meticulous. The teaching profession is highly regarded in Finland
even though its teachers receive an average salary in comparison to OECD counties.
According to ("What US Schools Can Learn From Finland’S Approach To Education
(SSIR)"), Most teachers in the countries are satisfied with the job and devote their time to the
profession.
On the other hand, the U.S. struggles in the field of training, recruiting, and retaining
teachers. A higher number of teacher walkouts is attributed to teacher's frustrations on
salaries and inadequate school funding. On a particular survey in 2016, about fifty percent of
teachers reported a lack of support from the administration. Also, about seventy percent said
that there was a minimal influence on what they teach. In developing a large number of
qualified teachers, the U.S. school system can establish an alternative pathway of recruiting
excellent teachers equipped with the necessary skills relevant to instructing students. Also,
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beyond the recruitment process, the U.S. government needs to invest in training and support
systems for teachers. This will, in turn, give teachers the autonomy to effectively collaborate
new methods and ideas that will be implemented in the future.
In summary, the way forward for educators and policymakers in the U.S. to adopt
approaches that Finland has used in creating a competitive learning environment for all
students. Despite the disparities in the U.S., it is possible to utilize these approaches, and any
efforts to improve the education system should aim at targeting the greater good for her
students.
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Works Cited
Social Problems: Continuity And Change. Print.
"What US Schools Can Learn From Finland’S Approach To Education (SSIR)." Ssir.org.
N.p., 2019. Web. 28 Mar. 2020.