Librarian Copy - Education Around the World

Education Around The World

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Author Interview

Ready for takeoff?

Cleverlandsby Lucy Crehan

Our Itinerary

US scores seem to be declining in math with achievement gaps widening in reading and science.

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) conducts testing of students around the world every 3 years to compare school systems. They test application of skills (not rote memory) and at the age of 15.

The US ranks 18th out of 81 Countries

Comparison between Finland and the USA

Inside Finnish Schools

Finland

Facts about Finnish Schools

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Comparison between Japan and the USA

Inside Japanese Schools

Facts about Japanese Schools

Japan

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Comparison between China and the USA

Inside Chinese Schools

China

Facts about Chinese Schools

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Comparison between Singapore and the USA

Inside Singaporean Schools

Facts about Singaporean Schools

Singapore

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Comparison between Canada and the USA

Inside Canadian Schools

Canada

Facts about CAnadian Schools

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1. Get children ready for formal learning. (high quality play-based preschool, relationships, train analogy)
2. Design curriculum concepts for mastery. (minimal and fewer topics, clear without being perscriptive, deeper understandings not broader)
3. Support children to take on challenges, rather than making concessions. (tutoring and keeping all levels together until about age 16, don't just give struggling students something easier to do)
4. Treat teachers as professionals. (rigorous college programs, PD, mentors, pay, work rules)
5. Combine school accountability with school support rather than sanctions. (incentives for good teachers/leaders to work with struggling schools)

5 Principles for high-performing, equitable education systems

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Thanks!

“Experience, travel – these are an education in themselves." – Euripides

PIT (tax) rate:Finland is 55% Japan is 45%US is 37%Japan spends less per pupil than the US. US $15,500Finland $12,000Japan $10,700Japan has some economic disparity (more than Finland, but less than the US).

Quality of Life

Comparison

Economic Comparison

Inside schools in Finland

Finland is the size of Minnesota with basically a homogenus population.The headline PIT rate (highest Personal Income Tax ) Finland is 55%US is 37%Finland spends less per pupil than the US on education. $15,500 for the US$12,000 for Finland

Quality of Life

Comparison

Economic Comparison

Lucy Crehan

• British teacher
• Traveled to 5 countries for lengthy periods of time based on high achievement
• Visited multiple, typical "neighborhood" schools
• Not looking for a "magic bullet" or the perfect education system

Inside schools in Japan

Inside schools in Canada

1. Japanese schools have a longer school year, uniforms, and the emphasis is on group learning and discipline. (Team and collective virtues)2. In Japan, the students perform the school's custodial duties.3. There is a very heavy emphasis on high stakes standardized testing in Japan, but formal learning starts at age 7 and is play-based prior to that.4. Japan ranks high in equality in education (educating everyone despite socioeconomic status). They spend lots of time on textbooks and curriculum.5. Japanese teachers are moved often by the government so that they have experience teaching in different types of schools. Every 3 years for example.6. Japan requires a difficult exam (similar in difficulty to the Bar exam) to become a teacher, and they work 12-13 hour days. There is a teacher accountability system with 2 observations a year required. "Lesson studies" occur where teachers plan in depth together and observe each others STUDENTS during the learning process to evaluate (not watching the teacher). They interview students after as well.7. Many students go to "cram schools" after high school to prepare for the high stakes test governing their entry into university called "The Center Test". After this, their university may require further testing that's even harder.

Japan Quick Facts

1. Rote memory tasks are well regarded especially at the lower levels of understanding. (foundational knowledge, rapid recall, strengthening memory, and buiding confidence). They teach in "chunks" (not rote memory all day). Remember, PISA scores test application (and China does very well).2. There is an emphasis on high-stakes standardized testing. Students must test to see which high school they can get into. Scores on one test, the Gaokao, determine wether or not a student can enter university. This test is seen as the greatest determining factor on how a student will live out the rest of their lives. The higher the score, the brighter their future. 3. Teamwork is emphasized. Teachers spend more time on fewer questions/concepts than teachers in the west typically do.4. China has the largest state-run education system in the world. 5. There are big differences in the quality of education provided in urban vs rural areas in China.6. Students pick a humanities or science track when they enter high school. This decision determines which subjects they will be tested on in the Gaokao.7. When evaluating "critical thinking" remember the cultural and political forces that might be at play when talking about literature or politics.

China Quick Facts

Start at 2:19, can stop at 7 Min

Inside schools in Singapore

PIT (tax) rate:Finland 55%Canada 50% (federal and provincial) China 45%Japan is 45%US is 37%Singapore 24%Canada spends less per pupil than the US.US $15,500Singapore $13,700Canada $12,800Finland $12,000 Japan $10,700China $5,558

Quality of Life

Side-by-Side Comparison

Economic Comparison

In China, the income and wealth inequality is vast.PIT (tax) rate:Finland is 55% China 45%Japan is 45%US is 37%China spends A LOT less per pupil than the US.US $15,500Finland $12,000 Japan $10,700China $5,558

Quality of Life

Side-by-Side Comparison

Economic Comparison

1. Singapore has roughly the same number of school days, but has a 4 week break in June and a 6 week break in November instead of a summer break (the weather is consistently tropical). Career ladders for teachers.2. In Singapore, students are tested by an exam called the PSLE at the end of elementary, middle and high school. The results of the test determine the student's learning track going forward.3. Students are granted admission into top performing elementary schools based on alumni status and parent and child interview. Parents must volunteer and there is much competition to get a young child into the right school to avoid a less desireable track. (Inequality and elitism)4. Teachers in Singapore are required to take 100 PD hours per year. 5. To attract high quality teachers, Singapore pays for teacher training and provides a stipend during the training.6. Even the lowest performing students in Singapore (tend to be the most economically disadvantaged not affording tutors etc) perform quite well on PISA compared to other countries.

Singapore Quick Facts

Can stop after 8.5 mins. The rest goes into the parent experience.

Inside schools in China

1. Canadian schools emphasize critical thinking and creativity, however each province in Canada has its own curriculum standards (not individual districts like in the US).2. Canada is a very diverse society and is geographically dispersed compared to the other high ranked PISA scoring countries (more similar to the US population).3. University tuition is much lower in Canada.4. Schools are funded equally in Canada (not by property tax rate). There is emphasis on school culture and spirit.5. In Canada, extracurricular activies are encouraged as a way to keep students who struggle engaged and learning styles are addressed in lessons.6. There is no selection (tracking) process in Canada until grade 9 where some students take an advanced math class. Open enrollment is coorelated with continued student motivation.7. Canada has a very inclusive educational system with many supports for struggling learners.

Canada Quick Facts

Interview with the author, Lucy Crehan

1. In Finland students have NO formal instruction until age 7. Everything is play-based until then. Students in the USA and Finland achieve on-level reading rates at the same time.2. Day care teachers have bachelor's degrees. Teachers have master's degrees. Daycare is high quality and free. (equity) High trust in teachers.3. Finnish law requires 15 minutes of play for every 45 minutes of formal instruction.4. In Finland, students are graded individually by their teachers without standardized testing until age 16.5. In Finland, teachers are in the classroom 4 hours a day and they take 2 hours a week for PD.6. In Finland, teachers create their own curriculm with only suggested guidelines.7. Teaching programs are very rigorous, and education as a profession is very respected in Finland. You have to be in the top 10% of graduates to be considered for teaching programs.8. In Finland, teachers often keep the same group of students for 5 years.

Finland Quick Facts

PIT (tax) rate:Finland is 55% China 45%Japan is 45%US is 37%Singapore 24%Singapore spends a little less per pupil than the US.US $15,500Singapore $13,700Finland $12,000 Japan $10,700China $5,558

Quality of Life

Side-by-Side Comparison

Economic Comparison