1. Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg Finnish Education in a Nutshell Published by Ministry of Education and Culture, Finnish Board of Education and CIMO My reflections and questions from these 2 documents LEAP 2014
Mark Young – Director, Public Schools NSW (Australia) – Wollemi Network

2. “Rather than relying on competition, choice and external testing of students, education reforms in Finland focus on professionalising teachers’ work, developing instructional leadership in schools and enhancing trust in teachers and schools.”
Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
Questions:
What do you mean by professionalising teachers’ work and how is this happening?
What is your understanding of instructional leadership and how are you developing this?
How is trust in teachers and schools being enhanced?

3. Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
Improvement through co-operation, not competition
Improvement through building capacity and teamwork
Less teacher face-to-face time, more planning and strong collaboration
Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
Questions:
How have you developed your strong sense of collaboration between teachers in a school?
How have you developed your strong sense of collaboration between schools?

4. Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
There are 5 inter-related factors to explain the good Finnish educational performance:
Peruskoula – offers equal educational opportunities for all
Teaching is an inspiring profession that attracts many young Fins
Finland has a smart policy for accountability
People trust schools
The Finnish education system has sustainable leadership and political stability
Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
Questions:
What is you policy for accountability?
How do you develop and sustain your leadership throughout the system (especially principals and aspiring principals)?

5. “One of the basic principles of Finnish education is that all people must have equal access to high-quality education and training. The same opportunities to education should be available to all citizens irrespective of their ethnic origin, age, wealth or where they live.”
Finnish Education in a Nutshell
Comment:
In NSW we have found that there is a difference in student achievement between students who attend city schools when compared to students who attend rural and remote schools.
Questions:
Do you have such a difference in student achievement?
What do you believe are some of the key strategies you use to ensure the above happens in isolated schools throughout Finland?

6. “Education System Based On Trust And Responsibility”
Finnish Education in a Nutshell
My Comment: I believe trust in the Finnish education system is based upon the high levels of capacity of its leaders and teachers. This high level of capacity stems from the intellectual and emotional capacity of the workforce. This has come about due to the high standards set by the system to enter the teaching profession.
Questions:
Do you believe there is great trust by Finnish society in the Finnish education system?
Do you agree with my comment above?

7. Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
A new vision for Finland is needed. An important aspect of this vision is to help prepare young people to be wrong!
Themes for Finnish education in the future:
Development of a personal road map for learning
Less classroom-based teaching
Development of interpersonal skills and problem solving
Engagement and creativity as pointers of success
Finnish Lessons by Pasi Sahlberg
Question:
What are your thoughts on the above comments for the future of Finnish education?

8. Similarities, Differences & Possible Future Challenges for Finland Presentation to the Finnish National Board of Education
Some Key Similarities
Desire to keep growing & moving forward at both a system & school level;
Quality school leaders;
Introducing a new National curriculum;
Working to improve collaborative practices between teachers in schools as well as between schools.

9. Similarities, Differences & Possible Future Challenges for Finland
Some Key Differences
Key authority is local Council;
Very different role of Educational Leader (Director);
Very rigid time that teachers work;
High value placed on education by Finnish society;
High standard of students entering the teaching degree;
High & consistent standard teacher training in Finnish universities;
Necessity of a Masters degree to become a teacher;
Qualifications to become a principal;
Funding of schools through Ed Leader – Council & taxes;
Education stability through political stability (changing);
Formalised mentoring for principals in early years;
No SPC or PPA equivalent; &
Assessment strategies of teachers & principals.

10. Similarities, Differences & Possible Future Challenges for Finland
Some Possible Future Challenges for Education in Finland
Potential lack of consistency between the way Councils govern & fund schools – impact on ‘equity’ across system;
Relying on high quality candidates entering teaching profession & the high, consistent pre-service training of teachers to ensure high quality of teaching in schools;
“Trust” without “verification”;
Effective strategies to help grow the capacity of current & aspiring principals;
Political stability’s positive impact upon education may not last; &
Helping Finnish students learn how to deal with being wrong.