The Big Picture: Trends and issues in primary education around the world 2018 SAPPA Conference Unleashing the Power Hahndorf, SA, AUSTRALIA 1 th August 2018 pasi_sahlberg
Starting age of compulsory education 5 5 7 5 7 7 7 5 5 4 4 5 5 4- Time spent in school around the world Duration of primary and lower secondary education, in years Hungary 8 Latvia 9 Russian Federation 9 Poland 9 Slovenia 9 Finland 9 Korea 9 Austria 8 Estonia 9 Lithuania 10 Sweden 9 Belgium 8 Czech Republic 9 Greece 9 Japan 9 Germany 9 Italy 8 OECD average 9 Portugal 9 Iceland 10 Switzerland 9 Norway 10 Spain 9 Luxembourg 9 France 9 Canada 9 Ireland 9 Mexico 9 Chile 8 Netherlands 9 Israel 9 United States 9 Denmark 10 Australia 11 Primary Lower secondary Total number of compulsory instruction hours 0 2 000 4 000 000 8 000 10 000 12 000
Three global trends in primary education Focus on basics - Literacy and numeracy - Standardisation and grading - Learning more and earlier - Preparation and selection for secondary education Focus on whole child - Well-being and health - Broad curriculum - Individual learning plans and support - Authentic and formative assessments Focus on future skills - From mastery of knowledge to applying knowledge - Inter-disciplinary approach to teaching - Adoption of modern teaching and learning tools
Three global issues in primary education Declining wellbeing - 10% of kids don t feel safe at home - 47% of kids sleep every night smartphone within reach, 40% with sleeping problems - 10% of kids (4-12y) have abnormal social and emotional wellbeing - 1 of 4 kids (5-14 y) overweight or obese Less time to play - Pressure to grow up fast - Less outdoor play - Parents overprotect kids from risk-taking - Parents prefer structured activities before free play Teacher issues - Unpopularity of the teaching profession - Short careers -> declining professional capital - Downgrading the professional standards in teacher education
The State of Play United States: In 201, only 13 states had laws that mandate recess time during the school day, and 8 had recommendations for physical activity in schools. England: Nurseries not preparing children for school, says Ofsted. Australia: "The word 'play' has become problematic in Australian schools. Mexico: Many parents don t want to pay for the time their children play or sleep in Early Childhood Centers.
How about some Finland?
Educational system in Finland (2018) Upper secondary Tertiary 19 1 Universities (research and applied sciences) General Vocational Apprenticeship 10th World of work Primary and lower secondary Basic Education (9 years) 7 1 Pre-school (half-day) Early childhood education and care
Curriculum logic in Finland School curriculum Local curriculum and requirements National Core Curriculum for Basic Education
Playtime in Finnish schools Typical 3 th grade school day Mother tongue 15 mins 30-45 mins LUNCH 15 mins Music Math P.E. 15 mins After-school activities 9.00 11.00 ~15.00
Session 2: What are the challenges in Australia and what to do with them?
7,0,0 Australia spends relatively less of its national wealth in education Public expenditure on primary to higher education as a percentage of GDP Percentage of GDP 5,0 4,0 3,0 2,0 1,0 0,0 Norway Denmark Finland Belgium Iceland Sweden United Kingdom Portugal Ireland Estonia Austria New Zealand Israel Switzerland France Netherlands Canada OECD average EU average Greece Luxembourg Poland Slovenia Turkey United States Mexico Latvia Korea Australia 3,9 Germany Chile Italy Spain Czech Republic Slovak Republic Japan Hungary OECD, 201
Plus: Uneven distribution of children with special needs among schools - 85% of students from the lowest socioeducational advantage (SEA) quartile were enrolled in public schools in 201. - 84% of all Indigenous students attended government schools in 2017.
And: Uneven distribution of increased funding Total government funding per student in public schools was cut between 2009 and 201 while funding for non-government schools increased significantly. Surprisingly, the Gonski funding (2013-201) increases for non-government schools exceeded the increase for public schools.
Reid, 2018
Global Lesson: Increasing funding for disadvantaged schools and students is fundamental to reducing educational inequality and improving educational excellence in Australia.
What to do?
ANOTHER CONCLUSION If you really want to raise test scores (and help kids live better lives) try these: - Sleep more - Spend less time with technology and watching TV - Play and move more every day - Read a book or two every month - Write a letter to one you love every week
Session 3: What lies in the horizon for primary schools?
STAND UP IF YOU AGREE THAT COMPARED TO 5 YEARS AGO There are more students with socioemotional challenges in my school.
1 Health and wellbeing skills.
Screen time Well-being Health Anxiety disorder Depression Social challenges Behavioral disorders Addictions Suicidal behaviors 2000 2010 2020
Growing Up Digital (Alberta Teachers Association & Harvard Medical School)
In the horizon Renaissance of physical activity and recess in schools. Health as the 21 st century skill. Digital sabbaths.
STAND UP IF YOU AGREE THAT COMPARED TO 5 YEARS AGO I spend more time on paperwork and data in my school.
2 Leading with Small Data.
Big trends Processed by machines Algorithms and analytics Reveal correlations Predict the future Tiny clues Processed by humans Collective professional voice Reveal causations Understand the present
Example: Why kids don t like mathematics? Imagine a mathematician at work Usually fat male Unstylish No friends - except other mathematicians No romantic relationships or social life Wrinkles in their forehead from thinking so hard Very short tempers
Lead with Small Data, or you ll be led by Big Data.
STAND UP IF YOU AGREE THAT COMPARED TO 5 YEARS AGO The gap between those who have and those who haven t is wider.
3 Curriculum for equity.
Student achievement in reading, mathematics and science (PISA) Quality of outcomes Weak equity and high quality Strong equity and high quality Weak equity and low quality Strong equity and low quality Equity of outcomes Strength of the relationship between achievement and family background (ESCS Index)
Student achievement in reading, mathematics and science (PISA) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Singapore Hong Kong China EQUITY OF OUTCOMES Weakness of the relationship between student achievement and family background (ESCS Index) OECD, 201
4 Let the children play.
THANK YOU! pasi_sahlberg