The document discusses Finland's high educational performance, highlighting factors such as low dropout rates, equitable outcomes, and significant reforms in teacher education and school structure over time. Key principles include the idea of providing a good school for all, promoting less is more in teaching, and valuing teachers as essential to the system's success. Overall, it contrasts Finland's educational approach with global trends focusing on competition and standardization.

1. Key Drivers of Educational Performance in Finland International Perspectives on U.S. Education Policy and Practice: What Can We Learn from High Performing Nations? Washington, DC April 27 – 28, 2010 Pasi Sahlberg Director General

2. Is Finland a high-performing nation? According to international indicators ‘yes’ because: high graduation and low drop-out rates equitable outcomes and equal opportunities high student achievement moderate overall spending high rankings in other performances as well

3. Has there been improvement over time? The evidence suggests ‘yes’ because in the past Finland had: low level of educational attainment deep inequality and elitist structure modest student achievement teachers without proper education big gap to other OECD countries

4. Most important changes and policies Peruskoulu (nine-year basic school) in early 1970s Law on Teacher Education in 1979 Reformed upper secondary education in1980s/90s Promotion of trust since early 1990s

5. The most important factors in the successful implementation of these policies The Finnish Dream: Good school for all The Finnish Principle: Less is more The Finnish Privilege: Teachers The Finnish Way: Only dead fish follow the stream

6. 1. The Finnish dream: Good school for all 1866: Folk School (same education for all) 1919/21: The Constitution and the Law on Education: Education is a civil right for all 1966: Peruskoulu (comprehensive basic school) 1980s: Tracking/streaming abolished 1990s: Upper secondary education for all

7. 2. Less is more: Teach less, learn more Source: OECD How much do teachers spend time in classrooms?

8. 2. Less is more: Teach less, learn more Source: OECD How much do students spend time in classrooms?

9. 2. Less is more: Test less, learn more OECD average National achievement averages of 15-year-old students in mathematics (PISA 2006) Source: OECD

10. 3. The Finnish Privilege: Teachers Accepted

11. 4. The Finnish Way Global Educational Reform Movement (germ) FOCUS ON CORE SUBJECTS COMPETITION STANDARDIZATION TEST-BASED ACCOUNTABILITY CONTROL

12. 4. The Finnish Way “ MARKETIZATION” “ PROFESSIONALISM” Global Educational Reform Movement (germ) The Finnish Way FOCUS ON CORE SUBJECTS BREADTH AND CREATIVITY COMPETITION COLLABORATION STANDARDIZATION INDIVIDUALIZATION TEST-BASED ACCOUNTABILITY TRUST-BASED RESPONSIBILITY CONTROL AUTONOMY

13. Top goals for education system in Finland Better individual learning paths More creativity in peruskoulu Stay in the Finnish Way!

14. Thank you!