Finland also has a significantly smaller, less diverse population. Do you think they have to deal with students who come from various SES and cultural backgrounds, ELL students, inadequate federal and state funding, and schools and teachers who deal with the pressures of NCLB? Do some research people. There's a reason why these countries are doing better.
I'm not making excuses for our country. Yes, America is what, number 17, and our system is far from perfect, but what works for Finland won't and probably isn't what will work for us.
I agree, I believe that teachers should be highly qualified, but realistically, with the low salaries and the steep costs of higher education, let alone the lack of respect our country has for the teaching profession, a world where every teacher has a PhD is only a dream.
As far as homework goes, I don't believe in busy work. That's not the purpose of homework. Homework is for independent practice and if assigned properly and meaningfully, homework is highly beneficial to the student if they plan on truly understanding and practicing their knowledge.
