What's Needed are "Bright, Well-Prepared, and Well-Supported Teachers". (February 26, 2012)

Since 2008 John Burris has been president of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund which describes itself as "an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences by supporting research and other scientific and educational activities". Prior to taking up the presidency, he had been CEO of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole and president of Wisconsin's Beloit College.

Last month Science asked Dr. Burris to contribute its January 26, 2012 editorial, and he chose for his title "It's the Teachers". And while he is addressing the situation in the United States his message should resonate with those who are responsible for developing our governmental educational policies.

The U.S. education system has methods at its disposal to improve science and math education, such as inquiry-based learning, collaborative problem-solving, and exciting and timely curricula. But no approach can be successfully sustained without bright, well-prepared, and well-supported teachers.

He then cites Finland as an outstanding example, noting that for the past decade it "has scored near the top of the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) examinations, and states that's because Finland set out to: "Recruit the best and the brightest to be teachers, and train them extensively and well.* [It gives] them the freedom to develop teaching skills, independence from centralized authority, and ample time to prepare lessons and to interact with peers and students outside the classroom."

Dr Burris also emphasises that all Finnish teachers must have a master's degree and they are not on the treadmill of teaching to endless standardized tests -- there is recognition of the importance of time spent with peers or participating in professional development, and most importantly, Finnish society gives teachers the respect "they deserve as professionals".

It took Finland decades to change its learning environment. Every change was initially opposed, but it now has one of the best educational systems in the world... Finland accepts only about 1 in 10 applicants for teacher training... We must also rigorously train teachers not only in pedagogy but in subject matter. Much of the high turnover rate of U.S. math and science teachers is due to inadequate professional development and limited classroom autonomy,† so in addition to improving training, it is critical to change the work environment in schools.

     As Finland has shown, the answer to the problem that beleaguers many nations is a straightforward commitment to both value and trust the most important part of any successful educational system—the teacher.

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*P. Sahlberg, Finnish Lessons (Teachers College Press, New York, 2011)