http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT- <p>High-school students here rarely get more than a half-hour of homework <br /> a night. They have no school uniforms, no honor societies, no <br /> valedictorians, no tardy bells and no classes for the gifted. There is <br /> little standardized testing, few parents agonize over college and kids <br /> don't start school until age 7.<br /> <br /> Yet by one international measure, Finnish teenagers are among the <br /> smartest in the world. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120425355065601997.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120425355065601997.html</a><br /> <br /> I have been a proponent that we push our children out of their child hood.&nbsp; We create artificial fear in them that paralyzes them and stops them from succeeding.&nbsp; This is proof that homework is not a teaching tool, that kids are just that, kids and should not be punished for being a kid, exhibiting kid behavior, and that the best fix for our kid's educational needs is to tear down the top heavy administrative layers and put the control back in the classroom to the teacher and the parent!&nbsp; But there is the crux, they have 30 applicants for each teaching position so that they recruit the best.&nbsp; Here stateside we are so teacher short (due to the administration's rule making and heavy handed treatment of staff) that we just need live bodies to fill space.&nbsp; Our higher education institutions continue to churn out mediocre prepared &quot;teachers&quot;.&nbsp; They get to practice on our kids and the stats tell us that they either wash out in the next 2 - 3 years or stick if out but do not hit a groove of teaching ability until 6 - 7 years on the job.&nbsp; That means how many kids were not getting an education while the teacher learned how to be a teacher?&nbsp; We have to reform our educational system and it is quite apparant that the educational field is not willing to create that change so it is up to usparents who are going to have to get it done.&nbsp; So let's roll up our sleeves and get going!</p> GreatSchools en-us afrench2 It's so good to read the advice to stay active in your child's education as they move into the higher grades. My two children knew no different and didn't question ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=1#comment_402712 4100.402712 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:28:35 -0700 wowof3 You are right! I am very active in my childrens education. I thought that was what teachers wanted. Apparently not all of them. I feel like our communication is oneside ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=1#comment_287217 4100.287217 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:24:48 -0800 wowof3 WOW! You have said it all! I am living this right now. My children are being just like you said "practiced on." It is horrible! When I seek help through ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=1#comment_287216 4100.287216 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:17:42 -0800 teachukid This was an excellent article! Thanks! It also addressed the many fundamental factors which make comparing our two countries difficult to do. I have friends in both Helsinki and Stockholm. ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=1#comment_226937 4100.226937 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:59:28 -0700 everydayangels How do we take our kids back? I guess the overwhelming homeschooling that's going on should be a big wake up call!!! I would homeschool if I did not have ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=1#comment_226916 4100.226916 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:30:07 -0700 everydayangels O.k. You're designated Editor! Congrats!!! http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=2#comment_226911 4100.226911 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:26:01 -0700 everydayangels Upon reading your contribution, (it flowed fine, by the way.) It came to me that maybe if teachers came forth and truly communicated to the parents as to how difficult ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=2#comment_226902 4100.226902 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:19:26 -0700 fedup52 Well since March they have managed to chip off some more veneer. If parents want to really attempt a change in the school which their child attends, I believe that ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=2#comment_223854 4100.223854 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:19:38 -0700 everydayangels Good Point LSCegypt. However, what about the kids that don't make it to college? Those that are not technically inclined? How are those that are "insanely creative" supported in the ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=2#comment_221440 4100.221440 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:46:11 -0700 everydayangels I agree with you, Mommacat! My son, all through elementary had so much homework, that did not make sense half the time was overburdened. After some time, it was quite ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=2#comment_221435 4100.221435 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:39:20 -0700 everydayangels RIGHT ON FEDUP52!!! Any advice on how we, as parents can be most effective in doing something about this? http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=3#comment_221432 4100.221432 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:35:06 -0700 namcisum Call me old fashioned. It is true. I graduated from High School in 1950 in a small city in the midwest. It is my belief that that was when things ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=3#comment_214430 4100.214430 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:15:28 -0700 MommaCat I enjoyed reading your comments, I have seen "life outside the U.S." and agree with what you say. I think that if we allow our children to be free to ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=3#comment_214379 4100.214379 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:33:12 -0700 LSCegypt I can tell you that American students are not behind everyone else after they are through. Most countries "track" students according to test scores and place them in "tracks" where ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=3#comment_214333 4100.214333 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:15:16 -0700 eccentric Respect for teachers (just as everything else such as respect for your elders, money, food etc!) comes from home. This requires a "cultural change" that is hard to address but ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=3#comment_213926 4100.213926 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:48:23 -0700 mom4health Most of the comments/problems, including but not limited to disrespectful students, seem like they could be helped, if not solved, by the elimination of rankings and a decrease in competition. ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=4#comment_213911 4100.213911 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:31:23 -0700 susancy I'm not surprised about this study. That being said, I would attribute America's inability to keep a quality teacher in the classroom to the growing student misconduct in the classroom. ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=4#comment_213887 4100.213887 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:59:14 -0700 Danial I think that you are on the money about the competition. Everything about our schools is hard pounding and stressed out. The standardized testing is almost to a single focused ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=4#comment_213769 4100.213769 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:14:43 -0700 Mom23boys I am reading many of the comments; all are quite interesting and thought provoking. My thoughts on the article are quite different though. What I read in the article is ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=4#comment_213468 4100.213468 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:43:41 -0700 AnneCatLover1 Does anyone else feel it is important for all of us to proof read our comments? It is ironic; we are discussing education issues and making so many errors in ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=4#comment_211775 4100.211775 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:01:48 -0700 najarvis You really think that most teachers are respected? Then again, its hard when we do not have the best prepared teachers dealing with children who know they might know more ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=5#comment_211695 4100.211695 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:14:35 -0700 najarvis My father has been teaching in some form or other most of his life. However he mostly taught in private schools in South Africa, England, and in the U.S. until ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=5#comment_211692 4100.211692 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:59:55 -0700 Danial In the last comments there is a discussion about a teacher from Pakistan both dealing with the cultural differences - respect of the teacher - and teaching multiple subjects and ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=5#comment_211504 4100.211504 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:45:58 -0700 eccentric najarvis, so your concern about the teacher is how long will she last or how much respect students pay to the teachers!? Where I come from, teachers are considered 2nd ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=5#comment_211503 4100.211503 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:41:59 -0700 najarvis There is a new teacher in my fitness class. She has only been teaching one year,( the first year being with 7th graders). This fall she will teach 6th graders ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=5#comment_211470 4100.211470 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:32:11 -0700 Danial Few parents are that involved with their children by the time the students are in high school. Schools allow electronic games and small computers, cell telephones...Before I was certified to ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=6#comment_211459 4100.211459 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:24:21 -0700 MommaCat I agree...seems more and more people/parents value individuals by simply "existing" instead of valueing their good deads, achievements and hard work. Well said. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=6#comment_211286 4100.211286 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:00:18 -0700 eccentric The article about Finnish educational system and students is a known fact for quite sometime now. I am not a product of US based school system and have done quite ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=6#comment_211186 4100.211186 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:52:20 -0700 Danial I have worked with development delayed children, in alternative education, and the lead counselor in a crisis center. I have taught upper class and grad classes in a University. Many ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=6#comment_211086 4100.211086 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:10:33 -0700 AnneCatLover1 MommaCat, especially, and the other contributors as well, I remember having the same questions about 12-20 years ago before we moved from CA to WA. One answer to your question ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=6#comment_210978 4100.210978 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:39:55 -0700 MommaCat I can clearly remember in the state of California where i was born and raised, went to public schools and then college, the state lottery promised so much money to ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=7#comment_210886 4100.210886 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:13:14 -0700 mom4health Reading through all these comments, I am disappointed to hear so much finger pointing and so few constructive suggestions. Schools in the US are falling behind and have problems, for ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=7#comment_210812 4100.210812 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:07:20 -0700 namcisum I had hoped for some input from the frustrated parents out there concerning education in Finland as opposed to that we are currently experiencing in the U.S. There can be ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=7#comment_195228 4100.195228 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:41:28 -0700 OneOutof5 I don't believe that the common Finnish teaching methods would work with the general populace in the United States. We have so much more diversity here -- kids coming to ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=7#comment_194677 4100.194677 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:18:51 -0700 Anonymous My father has been a teacher all his life. He has taught in South Africa, England and the US in Mass.at Groton and in Ca. at the community colleges. Guess ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=7#comment_187453 4100.187453 Wed, 21 May 2008 08:18:29 -0700 Suomi0304 Interesting!I met quite a few Turks in Tampere too. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=8#comment_183671 4100.183671 Mon, 12 May 2008 11:26:17 -0700 namcisum It is all very simple and you can do it yourself! 1) Read the article from the Wall Street Journal, available on this site. 2) Go to Google and enter ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=8#comment_183659 4100.183659 Mon, 12 May 2008 11:12:59 -0700 Anonymous In 2007 there were 132600 foreign citizens in Finland. The estimated number of Finns is at the moment 5,244,749Top ten 2007 Foreign Citizens in Finland areRussians 26200Estonians 20000Swedes 8400Somalis 4800Chinese ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=8#comment_183560 4100.183560 Mon, 12 May 2008 08:18:11 -0700 Suomi0304 Homogenous only plays a tiny role, the reason Finland does so well is that the administrators are not corrupt, money makers like in the US. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=8#comment_183183 4100.183183 Sat, 10 May 2008 20:09:04 -0700 Suomi0304 True they have much more homogenity and this definitely plays a role. Also, they only allow a small amount of foreigners into their country per year. There is some diversity ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=8#comment_183180 4100.183180 Sat, 10 May 2008 20:03:30 -0700 Suomi0304 "We have much to learn from the gentleness of Finnish ways."What the man/woman is describing here is that violence is NOT part of the Finnish culture. Finns do not see ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=9#comment_183178 4100.183178 Sat, 10 May 2008 20:01:39 -0700 Suomi0304 Hey, I lived in Tampere. I wasn't a teacher then but I did go help in some schools and remember the kids having to take off their shoes. Did they ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=9#comment_183177 4100.183177 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:58:51 -0700 Suomi0304 How right you are! http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=9#comment_183174 4100.183174 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:55:07 -0700 Suomi0304 Being a teacher, I cannot agree more. The US education system is nothing more than a corporation like that of Walmart. You should visit a "ghetto school" as I teach ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=9#comment_183173 4100.183173 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:54:32 -0700 Suomi0304 Finnish is a very hard language, but I learned it cuz I was forced to living there in 2003. What they do in schools is only speak and administer tests ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=9#comment_183170 4100.183170 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:51:34 -0700 Suomi0304 So true! http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=10#comment_183168 4100.183168 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:48:29 -0700 Suomi0304 Socialism depends where you are. I lived 1 year in Finland and 3 years in Canada, and the feeling of the socialism felt very different between the two countries. : http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=10#comment_183167 4100.183167 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:47:13 -0700 Suomi0304 I love your posts for the fact that in American society blue collar jobs are looked down upon. When I lived in Finland from August 2003-August 2004, I came to ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=10#comment_183165 4100.183165 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:44:34 -0700 Suomi0304 I went to school in Finland for one year. It is far far superior to American schools. Whoever wants to argue that, don't try. Their schools are out of this ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=10#comment_183162 4100.183162 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:36:56 -0700 Anonymous Thank you for your post. Unfortunately, you did what I often do. I advise on a grammar trick and forget to add a letter to use. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=10#comment_183132 4100.183132 Sat, 10 May 2008 16:59:32 -0700 Anonymous As a legal immigrant from a "third-world country," I learned that "its" when used as an impersonal possessive pronoun takes no apostrophe. It's is the abbreviated form of it is. ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=11#comment_183106 4100.183106 Sat, 10 May 2008 14:49:31 -0700 MommaCat I found your reply interesting and right on, but I don't think think we are looking to the FInn's as "competition" per se, but I speak for myself here in ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=11#comment_183010 4100.183010 Sat, 10 May 2008 08:34:59 -0700 Danial I have attended lectures by some people that are engaged in trying to' help' improve our education system. I taught and wore many hats in an Inupiat village for over ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=11#comment_182983 4100.182983 Sat, 10 May 2008 05:44:32 -0700 namcisum I've answered my own question about public schools in Finland by simply going to Google and entering PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN FINLAND and pressing SEARCH. I suggest that everyone out there ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=11#comment_182854 4100.182854 Fri, 09 May 2008 17:04:41 -0700 namcisum It is my understanding that Finland offers everyone free education for each student in their chosen field for as long as they continue to progress. BUT THAT IS SOCIALISM I ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=11#comment_182835 4100.182835 Fri, 09 May 2008 16:10:50 -0700 AnneCatLover1 MrBill, for those of us who are not teachers, I do not understand what all of your abbreviations mean and I doubt you are poorly trained or mediocre. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=12#comment_182803 4100.182803 Fri, 09 May 2008 15:04:05 -0700 kerry01 I don't believe that for any reason one child is smarter than another.The whole concept of I.Q is out dated.Education is all about incentive,support in all ways for the child ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=12#comment_182636 4100.182636 Fri, 09 May 2008 09:50:11 -0700 MrBill46 I'll shoot from the hip somewhat on this one. I suspect there's alot less garbage on TV there, though I'm not sure how tightly controlled "video" games are or whether ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=12#comment_182574 4100.182574 Fri, 09 May 2008 08:41:40 -0700 MommaCat Well said...I agree and have been asking myself the same question "why do we bend over backwards to accomodate and appease immigrants?" and at the expense of our own children ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=12#comment_182573 4100.182573 Fri, 09 May 2008 08:40:17 -0700 kelsea I agree we in America have learned to teach kids how to test rather than teach then the materials right the first time. Kids are just like sponges. They absorb ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=12#comment_182334 4100.182334 Thu, 08 May 2008 18:57:23 -0700 Anonymous To the parent who commented on the ESL issue, I could not have said it better myself. You are absolutely correct, children in our country are forced to sit and ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=13#comment_182298 4100.182298 Thu, 08 May 2008 17:52:23 -0700 sunshine4 I am ready. My sleeves are rolled up. I am ready to support a big change in education for the better. I could not agree more with you comments!! http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=13#comment_182179 4100.182179 Thu, 08 May 2008 15:28:48 -0700 Anonymous Finland has been ahead of the pack in educating their children and citizens for a very long time. Having taught in an elementary school in Finland, it is not surprising ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=13#comment_182140 4100.182140 Thu, 08 May 2008 14:25:13 -0700 mahboobulalem I think in the USA we have too much testing of kids, especially in math. We do not give kids enough time for ideas to sink in before we start ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=13#comment_182135 4100.182135 Thu, 08 May 2008 14:19:34 -0700 Anonymous Spot on. If the students can't pass the test, we "dumb-down" the tests until they can. Talk about a watering down of education, expectation, and morals! As long as institutions ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=13#comment_182127 4100.182127 Thu, 08 May 2008 14:15:06 -0700 Anonymous WHY is it that EVERYONE skirts the issue of the ESL teaching Americans schools must provide due to the number of foreign (many, many illegal!) students in our schools??? This ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=14#comment_182116 4100.182116 Thu, 08 May 2008 14:10:09 -0700 LeslieDoherty Finland has closed captioning during most of their tv programming. I think this has a huge effect on the reading levels of children. They see the words as the words ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=14#comment_181929 4100.181929 Thu, 08 May 2008 11:25:03 -0700 Anonymous The children are older and more mature when they go to school in Finland. I wish they would postpone the starting age with one more year - to 8. Also ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=14#comment_181862 4100.181862 Thu, 08 May 2008 10:05:25 -0700 ravensmith Finnish schools actually have to compete for students. So if a school isn't doing their job, they lose students and funding, which is attached to each child. The good schools ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=14#comment_181534 4100.181534 Wed, 07 May 2008 17:49:51 -0700 Sophrosyne Wow! Thanks for the great post.This cleared up my confusion regarding why a good number of teachers just cannot teach, especially at high-school level. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=14#comment_181507 4100.181507 Wed, 07 May 2008 17:05:43 -0700 AnneCatLover1 Thank you, MommaCat!If we can round up enough people who agree it might be possible to begin a movement. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=15#comment_181498 4100.181498 Wed, 07 May 2008 16:40:19 -0700 MommaCat Amen. Loved your comments. Interesting findings regarding Finland. I've had those thoughts and concerns for a very long time, you've put them into words perfectly. http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=15#comment_181470 4100.181470 Wed, 07 May 2008 15:54:06 -0700 AnneCatLover1 Is there any hope for a National Board of Education while eliminating all state and district control? My heart tells me we MUST eliminate about 90% of those holding administrative ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=15#comment_181395 4100.181395 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:22:42 -0700 hoos30 I lived in Finland for a year during the late 90's. To call this an apples to oranges comparison would be the understatement of the year. The country is small, ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=15#comment_181345 4100.181345 Wed, 07 May 2008 13:31:43 -0700 Anonymous I had to comment on the observation that, "Our higher education institutions continue to churn out mediocre prepared "teachers" ... "I used to teach physics and astronomy at the college ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=15#comment_181202 4100.181202 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:23:53 -0700 healthy11 I concur that the education system in the U.S. needs a greater degree of nationalization...It irks me that NCLB is supposed to make sure "no child is left behind," but ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=16#comment_149969 4100.149969 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:31:15 -0800 Denali Disclosure: I am a graduate student in education (my 2nd master's degree).Finland has some advantages we don't: much more homogeneity; the expectation that most educated people speak and read at ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/153/Article-on-the-No--1-country-in-educating-their-children--OH-SO-DIFFERENT-?cpage=16#comment_149958 4100.149958 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:05:24 -0800