No superintendent or individual at the state department of education has the power to change our budget situation. And, in an increasingly centralized education system, we have little power to redirect our time and attention to teaching and learning from the hours spent in a computer lab completing required state tests.
In Finland, I am trying to figure out how they balance it all. Look at exhibit 1, a table of per pupil expenditures in relation to scores on the PISA. (The PISA is the "Programme for International Student Assessment," the core measurement tool used to compare student performance across industrialized countries. It is developed by the OECD for the purposes of member countries.)
It case you can't read it, the U.S. spends 43% more on each pupil than Finland does. But Finnish students scored an average of 61 points higher than American students did on the PISA math assessment.
How can I reconcile this lower price tag with what I have seen in schools so far? These are beautiful buildings, with ample classroom space, labs, workshops; a wide-array of curricular options, low(er) teacher/student ratios, and well-paid, well-respected teachers. The atmosphere in a Finnish school is not one of rushing about getting from one place to the next, constant assessment, and exhausting schedules. Teachers work hard, but they and their students are much more relaxed.
And teacher/student contact hours are half of what they are in the U.S.? How can this be?
I have my work cut out for me.
2 comments:
That is so interesting Kate. You have me thinking...
Hi Kate~
I hope this little note finds you toasty warm, as I assume it must be difficult to acclimate to the extreme weather difference. I found your entry in regard to student achievement differences between American and Finnish students interesting, but not surprising. I am curious as to the differences and similarities of the Finnish student as compared to the American student. Is socio-economic status amongst the Finnish students the same or does it have the same range as that among American students. How are students grouped? What percentage of the student population speaks a language other than the common language? How are the special needs of students, such as TAG or academically challenged, met? What are the homework, recess, extra-curricular activities, and core courses policies?
In regard to the BSD school budget or the country-wide budget issues, it is my hope that we will soon figure out that not all situations can be fixed by throwing more money at them. Sometimes instead of taking the time to sit down and hash out common sense solutions it seems we tend to think we can hire “an expert” to take the issue on, at which time it completely drops off our radar. We don’t “work with” the expert to solve the solution…heck they are the expert it’s their problem now. It is my hope that as money dwindles; it will be replaced with common sense and people that are willing to “work” toward solutions together as a team.
I can hardly wait to glean from your expertise. On another note, I wonder if others really realize the degree of difficulty and completion involved in receiving a Fulbright Scholarship. I hope you are as proud of yourself, as I am impressed with you, Miss Smarty Pants!
Hugs
Vesta
Post a Comment