Abstract
Based on current data, this chapter presents an analysis of the most equitable school system in the world, the Finnish education system, and compares it with the US education system. The author discusses significant differences that support the academic and equity achievement of the Finnish system and illustrates how the US system lags in these areas. The argument is made that a future-focused leadership vision and purpose that is wholly centered on the development of every student’s potential, a highly professionalized teaching corps, truly individualized education services, and a culture of authentic collaboration from the classroom to the federal education agency are all essential elements for educational achievement and equity. It is also asserted that this vision is attainable for any education system that transforms a deficit educational perspective into an achievement and equity focus. Data are provided that reveal dominant US educational narratives, such as excellence versus equity and economic efficiency versus achievement for all, as false and unjust dichotomies. It is concluded that with the lessons learned from high-performing education systems and authentic collaboration among national, state, local, and community stakeholders, a holistic approach to PreK-12 policy can be crafted that truly supports the delivery of instruction and social-emotional nurturing and realizes academic and equity achievement for all learners.
As the author of the original article, I was afforded copyright and received permission from the journal titled Inquiry in Education to reprint material from my 2018 publication. This chapter expands and updates the published article.
Burg, Carol A. (2018). Finnish education in the twenty-first century. Paradoxes and visions, i.e, Inquiry in Education, 10(1). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/vol10/iss1/8
Dr. Carol A. Mullen, Professor at Virginia Tech and Editor of this book, reviewed and edited several versions of this chapter.
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Burg, C.A. (2021). A Comparison of Finnish and American Education Policies and Practices That Address Educational Equity. In: Mullen, C.A. (eds) Handbook of Social Justice Interventions in Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35858-7_126
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