The Book That Started it For Me

What struck me, and many others, is that students in Finland go to school for fewer hours, have less homework, and start formal instruction almost three years later than their American counterparts. While some of the other countries with high scores on the PISA exam cram more studying into each school day, including late night private sessions, Finland and other northern European countries take the opposite approach. The John Dewey-based approach is reminiscent of educational practices in 1970’s America, and the Finns often credit the US for providing inspiration for their educational system which they “reformed” to match recommendations from child development research. 

For me, this book inspired me to look at the Fulbright application and click on “Finland” without really considering any of the other 11 countries presented. Now that winter is approaching in New Mexico and I am packing for even colder climes, I can’t help but wonder how this story influenced me to head north instead of south toward New Zealand like my two New Mexico fellow teachers, Courtnee and Bryan. I bet they aren’t stocking up on wool socks and long underwear!