Brockman 1

MacKenzie Brockman

Professor Kretzer

English Composition II

20 July 2021

Literature Review

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest (Franklin).” Benjamin Franklin was

stating this quote that at the foundation of it, a proper education reaps the most benefits for

society. Society at it core thrives and prospers when education is invested in. What would a

founding father of the United States have to say about the current state of education in the

American society? Is it thriving, paying the highest return possible? While Benjamin Franklin

might be concerned with the United States situation, one country that is reaping the benefits of

their booming education system is Finland. Since the 1970’s they have seen vast improvement in

core curriculum, such as science, math, and reading (Sahlberg). While the United States have

continued to decline since the 1970’s (U.S. News). This begs the question, what is Finland doing

that is so different from the United States? What can the United States adapt from Finland that

would help to advance their success in education? Would modeling Finland’s education system

help to improve the United State education?

Key elements that Finland has introduced into their education system is, emphasis on

teachers and their abilities, providing for the student, focusing on students’ lives outside of

school, and doing away with standardization and competition in education. These key elements

have played into Finland’s success, not separately, but when used in unison.

In an interview with Finnish students, Michael Moore askes them about how much time

students spend outside of school on schoolwork; they answered virtual none (Moore). Finland
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has done way with homework because, according to one principle, the “children need time to be

children.” In an interview with ABC News Australia, another teacher spoke about how her

students are able to use the restroom without permission, have 15 minute breaks between each

short lesson, and they are permitted to leave lesson to go and work at the student bakery (ABC

News Australia). All of these practices focus on growing the student as a whole person, not just a

student.

Another way in which Finland has changed their education system is by providing fully

for the students while they are in school. They not only have free lunches, but healthcare,

counseling, and transportation for all students, at no cost to them (Hancock). This is used to help

to diminish the equality gap between students so they all can perform at their optimum abilities.

In contrast, the United States have for profit lunches and none of these other necessities available

for free to students, or if they do, it is not at the capacity that is ideal for students. The Finnish

focus on the wellbeing of their students, not just their performance.

By doing away with standardization, students truly learn the information instead of

simply memorizing it. Teachers have the final say on how the curriculum is taught, they have

joyful, lighthearted, yet intelligent ways of teaching students concepts and having them retain

them (Jackson). They use pedagogical innovations to teach the students. The concept of

pedagogical innovations is teaching or learning in ways that are new and different yet allow the

student to learn in a deeper way. For instance, teaching with drones, teachback, or place-based

learning. These are all ways that the student can learn outside of their standard textbook in

classroom (Herodotou, Christothea, et al.).

Teachers are seen in high esteem in Finland. Whereas in the United States, Master’s

degrees are preferred in some places, Master’s degrees are required for teachers (Hammerness).
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Teaching is not a profession that some fall into, teaching is an elite profession in Finland and

held in the same regard as other great professions. Teachers are also not “graded” on their

students’ success. Teachers answer to parent and the principles. Teachers are respected by

parents in Finland. They are thought to be the Master of Education, so a parent would never

attempt to correct or disagree with a teacher. This means that teachers feel empowered to teach

as they see fit without fear of parent’s interference. Teachers are viewed much differently in

Finland than in the United States (Andere).

While it could be a vast difference for the United States to go from standardization,

testing, homework, and grueling hours for teachers, this could all hold the secret to furthering

their success. With small adaptations of each concept, the United States could see a great

improvement in teachers’ lives, students’ successes, and the overall state of society. As Benjamin

Franklin once said, “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” once there is success in

the education system, society can only see the benefits from there.
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Work Cited

Andere, Eduardo. The Future of Schools and Teacher Education : How Far Ahead Is Finland?

Oxford University Press, 2020. Sinclair Library, sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?

url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=cat01128a&AN=scc.b2104117&site=eds-live. Accessed 20 July 2021.

Franklin, Benjamin. The Way to Wealth. Applewood Books, 1986. Accessed 20 July 2021.

“Pasi Sahlberg: “Finnish Lessons: What can the world learn from educational change in

Finland?”.” YouTube, uploaded by Vanderbilt University, 16 December 2011,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kK6u7AsJF8 Accessed 20 July 2021.

Hammerness, Karen, et al. Empowered Educators in Finland : How High-Performing Systems

Shape Teaching Quality. Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Brand, 2017. Sinclair Library,

sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=cat01128a&AN=scc.b1802403&site=eds-live. Accessed 20 July 2021.

Hancock, LynNell. “Why Are Finland's Schools Successful?” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian

Institution, 1 Sept. 2011, www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/why-are-finlands-

schools-successful-49859555/. Accessed 20 July 2021.

Herodotou, Christothea, et al. “Innovative Pedagogies of the Future: An Evidence-Based

Selection.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 11 Oct. 2019,

www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2019.00113/full. Accessed 20 July 2021.

Jackson, Abby. “4 Reasons Finland's Schools Are Better.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 3

Apr. 2015, www.businessinsider.com/4-things-finlands-schools-do-better-than-america-

2015-4. Accessed 20 July 2021.

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U. S. News. “The Best Countries for Education.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News &

World Report, 2021, www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education.

Accessed 20 July 2021.

“A Documentary on Finland’s School”.”, YouTube, uploaded by A+ Students Genuis Mathmatics,

2 June 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-DcjwzF9yc&t=30s. Accessed 20 July

2021.

“Why Finland's schools outperform most others across the developed world | 7.30.” YouTube,

Uploaded by ABC News (Australia), 31 Jan. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=7xCe2m0kiSg. Accessed 20 July 2021.