International conference on Finnish education and teacher training systems to be held in March

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As a result of the wide international interest in Finnish educational achievements, the National Board of Education and the University of Helsinki is to organise a conference on the Finnish education and teacher training systems in relation to the OECD's PISA studies, from 14th to 16th March 2005 in Helsinki.
     
The reason for the international praise and interest is the fact that Finland once again came out top in the latest PISA study of learning results among 15-year olds, with high performances in mathematics, science, mother tongue, and problem solving skills.
     
The focus of the 2003 PISA study was on mathematics, and in that field Finland was clearly number one. Also in literacy Finland came out on top. In science, Finland shared the first place with Japan, and in problem solving Finland finished second after South Korea.
      The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a joint research programme of all OECD member states. In the first study in 2000, the focus was on literacy, and the second - most recent one - focused on mathematics. The next study will focus on science, and it will be conducted in 2006.
     
The upcoming conference will be targeted at international decision makers in education in foreign countries, and close to 200 registrations have been received already from 26 countries including South Korea, Germany, Austria, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Great Britain, the USA, and Sweden.
      The preliminary programme of the Helsinki conference can be seen on the University of Helsinki Palmenia Centre's web site (see below).


Previously in HS International Edition:
  High score by Finnish youngsters in mathematics surprises experts (7.12.2004)
  Finnish teens place number one in comparison of math skills (25.11.2004)
  The three Rs in the e-world (4.6.2002)

Links:
  University of Helsinki Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education: Finland in PISA-studies - Reasons behind the Results.

Helsingin Sanomat