In The ClassroomTop Story
New book explores what we can learn from Finland’s education system
A pithy quote sets the tone early in Michael Lawrence’s latest book about the state of education in Australia and why it’s so important: Testing 3,2,1: What Australian Education can Learn from Finland.
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Finally, the opportunity to embrace a world leading example. Well done.. I’ve been teaching for many years in French environment with the past 18 years here in Australia.
Please bring about constructive changes to better the delivery of education to our young ones here.
Where can I get this book?
Much appreciated.
Through wwww.melbournebooks.com.au, David. Cheers.
I like the sound of this book and hope to acquire and read it. This paragraph in the review concerns me, though:
“For all of our belief in grades, testing and competition, Lawrence points out an embarrassing fact: these things aren’t working. In fact, they are probably making Australia’s education system worse, as evidenced by steady declines in international tests such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) over the years.”
Correlation does not imply causation. There are so many variables here that it’s ludicrous to posit PISA results as evidence that our testing refine is making things worse.
Singapore and China do much more strenuous testing that we do and it doesn’t do their PISA results any harm.
Good points Gavin, though both countries you mention do so at a terrible cost, details of which are covered in the book.
Cheers
Michael Lawrence