The first thing to say about Pai Sahlberg is that you should read his superb book “Finnish Lessons.” It is the living evidence that we in the U.S. have lost our way. After reading that book, I had the chance to visit Finland for a few days, and the luck to have Pasi as my guide. Imagine a country whose schools have no standardized testing, where teachers are trusted and well prepared, where schools are architecturally impressive, where the emphasis is on the well-bring of children, not test scores; where creativity and the arts are encouraged; where all education, including graduate school, is tuition-free.
I will assume you have read that book. Now you should read Pasi’s short book of advice for education leaders, which elaborates on four ideas. They seem simple, even obvious, but they are not.
Here is Pasi presenting in a small session at Teachers College, Columbia University, just a week or two ago.
The first big idea is that all children should have ample time for unstructured play. In Finland, every hour includes 15 minutes of recess. This not only gives children a break, it gives teachers a break.
The second big idea is that small data, the information gathered by teacher observations, has more value than Big Data, the collection and analysis of large quantities of information that often invades privacy and typically provides correlations, not causation.
The third big idea is the importance of equitable funding, sending money where it is needed most.
The fourth big idea is to beware of urban legends about Finland. Finland, for example, does not recruit the best and the brightest into teaching. It selects those with the strongest commitment to the life of a teacher. There is no Teach for Finland.
It is a short book. Only about 90 pages. It is refreshing. It will remind you about what matters most. Clears away the foggy thinking that is now common among our political leaders.
Wow, we can buy a paperback copy for as low as $1.99 — at least that’s what it says on the book’s Amazon page.
https://www.amazon.com/Finnish-Lessons-Educational-Change-Finland/dp/0807752576/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
This is the book that the power hungry, greedy, fraudulent, lying, child molesting corporate reformers of public education don’t want us to read.
America got on the wrong path when the politicians failed to defend public education and allowed corporations and the 1% to commodify our young people. Now legitimate educators are marginalized and politicians, and the wealthy collude to make education profitable. Young people are no longer at the center of the discussion in education. The ways to access public education funds are center stage, not what is best for young people. I cannot speak for other schools, but the district in which I worked was adopting many of the methods recommended by Sahlberg. We were moving towards portfolio assessment. Then, the Feds and NCLB derailed a lot of our efforts in order to clear a path for privatization.
Both San Diego and Los Angeles were moving toward far superior portfolio assessment too. Then came the introduction of the insidious phrase “Data-Driven” and everything spiraled down from there.
It’s interesting how a well chosen terminology can drive the policy, isn’t it?
“Data driven”
When data are driven
Along for the ride
They never are given
A chance to decide
Finland is one culture. The US will screw it up.
Happy to see NYDaily News picking up this story. NYPost as the rag that they are has been publishing many a pro-charter pro-choice kiss-*ss BDevos article. ‘Bout time the Daily News got onto pro-public ed stories.
His advice is so simple, obvious and correct. If wealthy philanthropists really cared about education and children they would be supporting this. Instead it’s digital revolutions and big data and AI blended learning and personalized learning and on and on. One big con after another. We need to keep pointing to the truth and to win this battle against self-serving salesmanship, greed and hubris for the sake of the future.
“The Pros and Cons of Tech”
Digital revolution
Data that are driven
Pearsonalized solution
Cons are always givin’
Well said!
“Finland is Finished”
Finland is finished
Their children can play!!
Their future’s diminished
On PISA they’ll pay