The (new) secret to equalizing public education--drive out the best teachers.

<p>I see no problem with testing for assessment purposes, but from a behavioral science perspective, I see little need for the expense of testing every child when a robust sample will do just as well.</p>

<p>Finland, with the world’s best educational system, was once quite mediocre. There is no standardized testing of students. Their secret has been to elevate the status and pay of teacher to the same level as Nokia phone developer or Rovio Angry Birds creator. Only the best and brightest need apply. It’s like Teach for America, but for life–not just two years before you join Goldman Sachs. </p>

<p>But as is the case with Goldman Sachs, there is a heavy reliance on mentoring and on the job training.</p>

<p>I believe the only annual testing that Finn students get is when a sampling of them annually arrive at the top of the international comparison evaluations.</p>

<p>If Finland instituted standardized testing it would–as the title of this thread has it–drive out the best teachers.</p>

<p>There is also a considerably smaller gap between the best and worst students (as there is also considerably less income inequality when they become adults).</p>

<p>Incidentally, Finnish kids don’t start school until age 7, and have short school days and long vacations.</p>

<p>[Why</a> Are Finland’s Schools Successful? | People & Places | Smithsonian Magazine](<a href=“http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html?%20c=y&page=1&device=ipad]Why”>http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html?%20c=y&page=1&device=ipad)</p>