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claudiaswisher's review
5.0
Pasi Sahlberg keeps me sane and grounded, and reminds me we can change the direction of public education.
He frames this book around a chance conversation with George Pataki, former governor of NY. They talk about education. Pataki offers his four reforms, and that inspires Sahlberg to offer his own big ideas used in Finland, based on American education research.
Two incredibly different visions of public education. One grounded in AMERICAN education research, and one grounded in reform narrative.
Pataki's big four? 1. Fire all 'bad' teachers immediately. 2. Give failing schools to new operators to manage. 3. End Common Core. 4. Give more standardized tests, and school report cards.
Sahlberg's big three? 1. Recognize the concept of multiple intelligences and honor them. 2. Utilize cooperative learning in classrooms. 3. Invest in quality, challenging teacher preparation and professional development.
Which education system would you want to teach in? Send your own children to? Easy choice for me.
The book organizes around four concepts Sahlberg believes has made Finland an education super-star...all grounded in American research. All ignored by American reformers who really just want to gut our public schools. He puts the lie to their deep 'all about the children' lies.
1. Regular recess and physical exercise is vital for students...and reflection breaks are necessary for teachers. In Finland, 15 minutes of each hour must be unstructured time for students and teachers. Imagine being able to go to the bathroom DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, teachers!!
2. Small data helps educators make better decisions about the students in front of them. With computerized standardized testing, we are drowning in BIG data...trends, patterns...but that big data is not truly helpful at the classroom level for teachers trying to make a difference. Small data -- observations, notes, self assessments, formative assessments designed by teachers and students, teacher-collected data, school-based data - that can inform educators and inspire students.
3. Enhancing equity should be the goal of every school. Sahlberg thinks this is the key...not equality, where every child has access, but true equity with fairness and inclusion. He believes equity truly comes with local control of schools, where educators are in charge of decision-making.
4. Don't buy into the myths about Finnish education -- three urban myths are explored. MY favorite is Finnish teachers are not the 'best and brightest.' They come from all grade-distributions, with the bulk being average students. Finnish education colleges want diversity of background...candidates who've struggled sometimes make the strongest teachers because they recognize their struggle in their students. (I was fist-pumping and cheering! I've said that for years. The best teachers understand that everything does NOT come easily!). Finnish colleges of education are 5-6 year programs, ending with a masters degree...and most teachers stay in the profession, unlike the revolving door here in the states. Another myth is that Finland is doing away with core subjects...not true. They are combining traditional core curriculum with a required period of 'phenomenon-based' learning. Multi-disciplinary teaching and learning...something that brings teachers and students together to solve problems, or create a project. Sounds like heaven!! His last myth is the one that says FInland is hyper-focused on test scores. Nope. The educators in Finland are hyper-focused on their students' learning. He discussed the Comenius Oath that all teachers take, and insists that this ethical pledge helps hold teachers in high regard in the country.
Each chapter ends with Sahlberg's recommendations to state and district leaders, to principals, and to teachers. I like that concentration on the big picture and the small picture.
Finland did all this with OUR research. Research OUR reformers ignore in the quest for competition.
I usually feel hopeful and sad when I finish a Finnish book by Sahlberg...we had a golden opportunity in this country, and it was wrested away from us.
Sahlberg and Finland are the beacon of hope that we could still accomplish better.
ONE idea I'll incorporate is a day celebrating failure, where my students and I share the risks we took, what we learned, and how those risks will make us all better teachers.
He frames this book around a chance conversation with George Pataki, former governor of NY. They talk about education. Pataki offers his four reforms, and that inspires Sahlberg to offer his own big ideas used in Finland, based on American education research.
Two incredibly different visions of public education. One grounded in AMERICAN education research, and one grounded in reform narrative.
Pataki's big four? 1. Fire all 'bad' teachers immediately. 2. Give failing schools to new operators to manage. 3. End Common Core. 4. Give more standardized tests, and school report cards.
Sahlberg's big three? 1. Recognize the concept of multiple intelligences and honor them. 2. Utilize cooperative learning in classrooms. 3. Invest in quality, challenging teacher preparation and professional development.
Which education system would you want to teach in? Send your own children to? Easy choice for me.
The book organizes around four concepts Sahlberg believes has made Finland an education super-star...all grounded in American research. All ignored by American reformers who really just want to gut our public schools. He puts the lie to their deep 'all about the children' lies.
1. Regular recess and physical exercise is vital for students...and reflection breaks are necessary for teachers. In Finland, 15 minutes of each hour must be unstructured time for students and teachers. Imagine being able to go to the bathroom DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, teachers!!
2. Small data helps educators make better decisions about the students in front of them. With computerized standardized testing, we are drowning in BIG data...trends, patterns...but that big data is not truly helpful at the classroom level for teachers trying to make a difference. Small data -- observations, notes, self assessments, formative assessments designed by teachers and students, teacher-collected data, school-based data - that can inform educators and inspire students.
3. Enhancing equity should be the goal of every school. Sahlberg thinks this is the key...not equality, where every child has access, but true equity with fairness and inclusion. He believes equity truly comes with local control of schools, where educators are in charge of decision-making.
4. Don't buy into the myths about Finnish education -- three urban myths are explored. MY favorite is Finnish teachers are not the 'best and brightest.' They come from all grade-distributions, with the bulk being average students. Finnish education colleges want diversity of background...candidates who've struggled sometimes make the strongest teachers because they recognize their struggle in their students. (I was fist-pumping and cheering! I've said that for years. The best teachers understand that everything does NOT come easily!). Finnish colleges of education are 5-6 year programs, ending with a masters degree...and most teachers stay in the profession, unlike the revolving door here in the states. Another myth is that Finland is doing away with core subjects...not true. They are combining traditional core curriculum with a required period of 'phenomenon-based' learning. Multi-disciplinary teaching and learning...something that brings teachers and students together to solve problems, or create a project. Sounds like heaven!! His last myth is the one that says FInland is hyper-focused on test scores. Nope. The educators in Finland are hyper-focused on their students' learning. He discussed the Comenius Oath that all teachers take, and insists that this ethical pledge helps hold teachers in high regard in the country.
Each chapter ends with Sahlberg's recommendations to state and district leaders, to principals, and to teachers. I like that concentration on the big picture and the small picture.
Finland did all this with OUR research. Research OUR reformers ignore in the quest for competition.
I usually feel hopeful and sad when I finish a Finnish book by Sahlberg...we had a golden opportunity in this country, and it was wrested away from us.
Sahlberg and Finland are the beacon of hope that we could still accomplish better.
ONE idea I'll incorporate is a day celebrating failure, where my students and I share the risks we took, what we learned, and how those risks will make us all better teachers.
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