What America Can Learn From Finland’s Schools

According to the latest PISA results, while Finland’s students continue to outperform American kids in math, science, and reading, both nations saw significant declines after COVID. Yet even with this setback, Finland maintained its lead, especially in science (511 vs our 499) and equity measures. This suggests their system has resilience ours lacks, which is a lesson we desperately need as we rebuild from pandemic learning loss. The difference may lie in Finland's investment in teacher development. While American districts often cut professional development during crises, Finland increased collaborative planning time, ensuring teachers could adapt to students' changing needs rather than just deliver scripted content.

Having worked with students in after-school STEM programs throughout the pandemic, I saw these declines play out in real time. The Finnish approach, with its emphasis on teacher autonomy and student well-being, seems better equipped to handle disruptions. When COVID hit, Finnish teachers could immediately adapt lessons because they’re trained as curriculum designers, not just test administrators. Meanwhile, American educators got whiplash from constantly shifting between virtual, hybrid, and test-prep modes.

Finland's philosophy resonates deeply with my experiences teaching aviation and aerospace. Their system trusts teachers as professionals and requires rigorous master's degrees but then gives them real autonomy to adapt lessons. I've seen how this kind of respect pays off. In my programs, when I'm allowed to follow students' excitement around certain topics, the engagement skyrockets. Meanwhile, in traditional classrooms, I watch creative teachers get hamstrung by endless test prep. Finnish students take one standardized test in their entire school career. American students average 112. Is it any wonder the Finnish kids report higher confidence in science?

The equity gap became even more glaring during the pandemic. Finland's safety net, including universal school meals and healthcare, meant disadvantaged students didn't fall as far behind. In my aviation programs, I saw how students without reliable internet or quiet study spaces struggled disproportionately. One bright high schooler missed months of our drone programming course because he had to work night shifts when his parents lost their jobs. Finland's system is designed to catch these kids before they fall through the cracks. Their special education teachers work alongside classroom teachers from day one, while our system waits for students to fail before offering support.

We don't need to copy Finland blindly, but we should adapt what works. First, let's treat teachers like the professionals they are. Right now, we do the opposite of Finland with low barriers to enter teaching but then micromanage every lesson. We should raise certification standards but then give teachers real autonomy, like Finland does. Second, we need fair funding. Finland proves that when you invest in struggling schools, the whole system rises.

Most importantly, we need to reconnect learning with joy. As we rebuild, we should look to Finland’s recovery strategies. They’re doubling down on what works: more individualized learning, expanded mental health support, and hands-on projects to reengage students. In my programs, I’ve seen how project-based learning sparks recovery. Students who struggled with remote math excel when calculating wing spans for model planes. That’s the lesson Finland can teach us: real learning happens when we meet students where they are, not where tests say they should be.

The PISA data confirms what many educators feel in our bones: that our test-obsessed system is failing both students and teachers. Finland proves excellence doesn't require relentless pressure. As someone who's seen alternative education work, I believe we can build a system that combines American innovation with Finnish wisdom. Imagine if we took just half the money we spend on standardized testing and put it into hands-on STEM programs. Or if we gave teachers the respect (and salaries) we give engineers. Our kids don't need more tests, they need more opportunities to discover what excites them. Finland shows it's possible to have both equity and excellence. Our students deserve nothing less.

References

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]. (2023). PISA 2022 results (Volume I): The state of learning and equity in education. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en