In the United States, many citizens equate their educational journeys with five-day workweeks, six to seven-hour shifts, a plethora of tests and exams, and occasional recess periods. From the moment they enter elementary school to their graduation ceremony, students are drilled with rigid schedules that often prioritize structure over learning. A study conducted by XQ Institute, a leading organization dedicated to analyzing the high school experience, revealed that many students in the American school system report feeling disengaged from their education, most disclosing feelings of stress, boredom, and exhaustion. According to a survey conducted by Horizon, a high school student-led publication in Austin, Texas, an overwhelming 80.8% of surveyed students in Westwood High School responded “yes” when asked whether they believe that the United States education system is outdated. Additionally, a survey conducted by researchers at Yale University found that, among 21,678 high school students, 75% of pupils reported feeling “tired”, “stressed”, and “bored” when at school. 

Although approximately 87% of students within the United States graduate from secondary education, reports of negative sentiments toward the nation’s instructional methods may raise a question as to whether teaching methods in the US should be revised. This article will compare the United States’ education system with those of two Scandinavian nations–Finland and Sweden–to assess ways in which our nation might reform its current pedagogy not only to increase school retention rates but also to encourage its students to learn.

In Finland, children aged six and under typically participate in voluntary, tuition-free pre-primary education–a service the Finnish government provides to all its citizens. School is compulsory for children aged seven and above and is free at all grade levels until pupils advance to their post-secondary education, the American equivalent of college or university. On average, students in Finland spend five hours at school per day with instruction beginning from 9:00 am and ending around 2:00 pm. While most American schools typically allocate 30 to 45 minutes for meals and student socialization outside of the classroom each day, Finnish students receive a 15-minute outdoor break for every 45 minutes of instruction. These practices are strictly enforced to prevent children from experiencing burnout from constant instruction and to foster interpersonal relationships among students. Likewise, Finland prides itself on encouraging students’ creativity and critical thinking by providing its pupils with collaborative learning projects and integrating phenomenon-based learning strategies into its national curriculum. This approach inspires students to explore connections among various topic areas and advances their creative thinking, teamwork, and communication skills. Additionally, the country eliminated national standardized testing for its pupils and subsequently tasked teachers with assessing their students on learning objectives outlined in each instructor’s respective curriculum, allowing students more flexibility to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of learned materials. 

As a way of prioritizing its students over its curriculum, the Finnish government has taken a resolute stance on students’ mental health. By assigning little to no homework, Finnish schools aim to promote a healthy work-life balance and allocate time for activities that they believe can improve children’s academic performance, such as getting proper rest and having dinner with their families. As a result of these initiatives, 62.5% of Finland’s student population report enjoying their school environment, and 68.5% feel stress-free and are satisfied with their lives. Ultimately, the Finnish school system boasts a 93% graduation rate, with many students going on to attend the nation’s free, state-funded universities. 

Sweden’s majority public education system similarly emphasizes student development. Unlike U.S. students, Swedish students are permitted to choose the public school they attend and are not restricted to schools within their zoning area. Similar to Finland, Sweden has three daily school breaks in the morning, during lunch, and later in the afternoon. These practices have objectives very similar to Finland’s intentions—to encourage peer-to-peer camaraderie and prevent early-onset burnout.  Diverging from its Scandinavian counterpart, Sweden does require its students to take standardized national tests. However, the severity of tests’ impact on students’ grades has drastically decreased after 2018 following reports that such exams threatened to displace teaching and “authentic learning.” Sweden’s endeavors have yielded results similar to Finland’s, with fewer than 29% of students reporting feeling stressed.

Education can take many forms, as reflected by the comparative analysis of educational practices among schools in the United States, Finland, and Sweden. Although education may differ between nations, students have similar educational needs that require attention and cultivation both inside and outside the classroom. When compared to the educational approaches of Scandinavian countries and the sentiments expressed by their pupils, it is imperative that the United States adopt practices from these school systems to better engage students, foster their creativity, and provide stress-free spaces in which they can “learn.”

Works Cited

Header Image Credit: Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash