How To Compare And Contrast The American Education System

The PISA test is a standardized assessment that tests students all around the world. When we take a look at those scores, it says a lot about your school and education system. Is it effective? Does the school perform well? All of these questions are taken into consideration. So, let’s compare the two top scoring countries on the test; Finland and Japan. The education systems in Japan and Finland are both so different, but at the same time so alike. Let’s start with differences. One of the top differences that I noticed between the education system was what they teach. Finland likes to teach a lot of “home” skills. So instead of trying to build up students test scores, the teachers teach classes that teach them how to cook, clean, pay their taxes, and how to go out into the real world. Also, after school activities are a

Almost all students take at least one extra curricular activity. Meanwhile, in Japan, the teachers teach the students a ton of math and science. Since Japan has so many math and science classes, they almost don’t have time to be a part of after school activities. Not only that, but students in Japan take many standardized tests. In Finland, no one takes a single standardized test until they are 15. One thing that I personally found interesting, was how the students treated each other. In Japan, each lowerclassmen had to bow down to the upperclassmen. Actually, exceling and taking higher classes are highly recommended and looked upon. However, the people in Finland don’t think that’s how it should be. Everyone in Finland is placed in the same class according to their age. No one can take harder classes, there are no gifted programs, and almost no private