By: Makalee Mills

Finnish Education Dr. Tony Wagner, from Harvard, was invited to go to Finland by their National Board of Education to come and view their education system first hand and so he could compare it to the U.S.’s system. I found this documentary on YouTube. I believe that this was a good way of initially introducing the subject. I will evaluate how well this presentation introduces this concept and gives us ways in which we can implement what Dr. Wagner discovered into American Schooling system.

PISA Test Results One of the first things that Dr. Wagner discussed was about how Finland ranks in the top scores when the PISA test is taken. I found a website that compares the scores of the participating courtiers and what they scored in each of the subjects. I thick that this is a good example of a point that will defiantly catch peoples attention but this topic is more of an introduction than talking about what can be changed in the American system.

Academic vs. Vocational Schools The documentary and website that I found discussed how students can choose a vocational (technical or hands on skill directly for the work force) academic (focused for on classes getting students ready for college or a university). This vocational schools are not nearly as accessible at the High School Level. I believe that this topic could have been discussed more in the documentary but did a fairly good job at introducing the topic.

Education Facts My sources had some main points that that were discussed and emphasized a lot. 1.Children start school at 7 years old. 2. The kids have more recess and almost not testing. These are definitely the type of topics that catch people attention and inform us of ways of their education system that could be very helpful.

Education Facts Continued… 3. Teachers need a Masters degree to teach. 4. They have shorter and less lessons. 5. Teacher aids are hired to help struggling students and students usually learn 2-3 languages before they turn 13. I think that each of these are things that can be gradually added to our education system that will help improve how students are taught and how they perform.

Conclusion This documentary is very well put together and is very informative. I think that this video is a good way of informing people about a great example of an education system that I think is very successful and a good example of a system that works well to help all the kids they can. I feel like they could have added more about how we can gradually improve our education system through Finland and other such countries examples.

Works Cited results-US.pdf results-US.pdf Vocational-Education Vocational-Education facts-finlands-education-system-americans-should- not-ignore/finland-knows-whats-best facts-finlands-education-system-americans-should- not-ignore/finland-knows-whats-best