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West Virginia learns Finland's 'most honorable profession': Teacher - CNN.com

West Virginia learns Finland's 'most honorable profession': Teacher - CNN.com:

West Virginia learns Finland's 'most honorable profession': Teacher

By Paul Frysh, CNN
August 31, 2011 12:54 p.m. EDT
Former West Virginia Schools Superintendent Steve Paine went to Finland to learn how to improve West Virginia schools.
Former West Virginia Schools Superintendent Steve Paine went to Finland to learn how to improve West Virginia schools.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Only 10% of 7,000 teacher applicants to primary school programs accepted in Finland
  • Finland tops international tests rankings, but doesn't use standardized tests domestically
  • "It is a patriotic, national calling to be a teacher," said one Finnish teacher

(CNN) -- When newly minted West Virginia Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Paine told parents, teachers and educators in 2005 that he wanted to use Finland as a model for their education system, he got a lot of blank stares: Finland? What, people asked, does West Virginia have to do with Finland?

The contrast couldn't be more stark: In West Virginia, many children face poverty, illiteracy and broken homes and lack easy access to health care or proper nutrition.

Finland has a largely literate and relatively homogeneous population, little immigration and almost no poverty or social problems. They also offer a vast network of social supports including free meals and health care for school children.

Still, Finland was -- and remains -- at the top of international test