W13P2: Successful Schools

The key distinction that elevates public school systems like that of Finland, which consistently produce high scores and innovative learners, is the willingness to adapt curriculum to the needs of the student. It is inaccurate to assume that all students should focus on key subjects like math and english in order to be successful in life, but this notion is exacerbated by the emphasis on standardized testing.

Finland too, focuses some energy on preparing students for tests. It differs however, in the way it treats its teachers, which as a result changes the way students learn. In well performing countries, as opposed to America, teachers are valuable, held to a high regard, and provided ample resources. In exchange, these teachers do not just recite information to be absorbed by students capable of absorbing. The best teachers are invested in the way their students learn, and responsible for deciding how to best facilitate students developing unique perspectives and solving problems using logic as opposed to memorization. When school systems like Finland's put trust and resources into the hands of their educators, these educators are able to meld curriculum to the needs of their students as individuals, which ultimately, produces results.