School Visits: Helsinki Teacher Training School and Mercuria Vocational School and College - March 12, 2019

March 12, 2019

Friends,
On March 12, 2019 we learned about broad based pedagogical leadership at the Helsinki University Teacher Training School.  We learned about vocational education at Mercuria Business College (and vocational school). 

"In Finland they focus on equality, not excellence."  

Class size in primary grades is 24 students.  Younger than that, 20 students per class. Upper secondary classes have up to 30 students per class. 

In the afternoon we visited upper secondary schools.  We were able to see how they are moving away from traditional classrooms with desks and rows toward open spaces with flexible seating.  We learned about the structure of secondary programs, how students choose their paths, how testing determines if they will be able to take the upper secondary path, and the 10th grade option to give students an extra year to work and attempt the following year to qualify for upper secondary.  Students who are new to Finland and don't speak the language get an extra year to focus on the language and then sync up with the basic education program. 

Information shared at Upper Secondary school:  All students in Finland attend school for 190 days.  There are 5 terms, 6 weeks of lessons.  4 lessons per day, each 75 minutes.  Students take a matriculation exam at the end of the 12th grade year.  There are four obligatory subjects (minimum), each test is 6 hours.  Upper secondary is three years, 75 classes.  Year 1 = 30 classes, Year 2 = 30 classes, Year 3 = 15 classes.  Year three ends mid year to allow time for 12th grade exams and studying for college entrance exams.  Upper secondary students make their own schedules, which may include gaps.  They may opt to play ping-pong, etc., during their open blocks. 

Schools focus on well-being, in general.  The staff have Welfare Groups that meet every three weeks.  They include:  principal, guidance counselor, nurse, psychologist, social worker, SPED team, students. 

Guidance counselors work with students one year after they graduate.

Starting in 9th grade (or upper secondary?) students buy their own books and computers for school.