Boy are we stupid. In Finland though, people are really smart.

[Chicago Democrat]

Educators Flocking to Finland, Land of Literate Children
By LIZETTE ALVAREZ

Published: April 9, 2004


UUTARILA, Finland - Imagine an educational system where children do not start school until they are 7, where spending is a paltry $5,000 a year per student, where there are no gifted programs and class sizes often approach 30. A prescription for failure, no doubt, in the eyes of many experts, but in this case a description of Finnish schools, which were recently ranked the world's best.

Finland topped a respected international survey last year, coming in first in literacy and placing in the top five in math and science. Ever since, educators from all over the world have thronged to this self-restrained country to deconstruct its school system - "educational pilgrims," the locals call them - and, with luck, take home a sliver of wisdom.

"We are a little bit embarrassed about our success," said Simo Juva, a special government adviser to the Ministry of Education, summing up the typical reaction in Finland, where boasting over accomplishments does not come easily. Perhaps next year, he said, wishfully, Finland will place second or third.

The question on people's minds is obvious: how did Finland, which was hobbled by a deep recession in the 1990's, manage to outscore 31 other countries, including the United States, in the review by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development last September? The rankings were based on reading, math and science tests given to a sample of 15-year-olds attending both public and private schools. United States students placed in the middle of the pack.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/09/international/europe/09finl.html?hp

[madrchsod]

1. two things is that they

start a seven yrs old and the social system supports children. they also may have a family member who watches the child from birth till 7. we really don`t give a shit about kids in this country, do we?

[Chicago Democrat]

2. Bush just wants em to fill his army for world domination...

and kill other countries children.

[pacifictiger]

3. the other thing about finland

is although they do pay some of the highest taxes, resulting no doubt in good schools and childcare among other social services, they see the benefits of actually investing in the welfare and education of their citizens instead of crony handouts.
Interesting that their political system is perceived to be the LEAST corrupt in the world. (transparency.org)

[PSU84]

4. If they're so smart

why do they live in Finland?

Why don't they live some place warm and sunny?

[Chicago Democrat]

5. They make it extra nicer, plus the vodka tastes better that way.

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. It is warm and sunny

23 1/2 hours a day in the summer.

Beautiful country. Spent a summer there.

[Demeter]

7. It's Also a Very Homogeneous Country

And they export their sociopaths to other countries, where innocent girls marry them.