Why ARE Finnish Schools Succeeding? Ari Raisa of The Hudson School Tackles the Discrepancy Between Finnish & American Test Scores at the Next Think Thursdays Lecture Series on March 8, 2012!

Is the American way of rigid testing, frequent assessment, and strict modes of management, actually impeding the way U.S. students learn?  The March 8^th installment of The Hudson School’s acclaimed Think Thursdays lecture series will present THS’s own Ari Raisa, a native of Finland, who will speak on the comparisons between the Finnish and American systems of education.

The reason for his talk? In the last four rounds of the global Program for International Assessment of Students (PISA), the United States has finished in the middle of the back of the pack, yet their Finnish counterparts have had outstanding, if not stellar, results.

“It seems there is a flux in education reform all around the world, and Finland has aroused everyone's interest with their success in the recent globally administered PISA  tests, “ says Raisa, whose own daughter moved from the United States to attend his old High School in Finland and graduated from the University of Eastern Finland. “I assume American educators and parents are looking for answers as to how to improve the American school system.”

The most interesting point, according to Raisa, is that Finland, in many ways, has decided to move in the opposite direction from the United States. “If we take the latest international test results into account, the Finns have done something right. According to Samuel E. Abrams, a visiting scholar at Columbia University, Norway has posted mediocre results in these tests, and their school system in many ways resembles that of the United States.” 

The Hudson School’s (THS) Think Thursdays Series educates and informs the over-18 crowd in this lecture and film series aimed at adults. The series features guest speakers, local authors, and films covering a broad range of topics. Past participants include archeologist Brock Giordano, photographer Peter Ziebel, oral historians Scott Reitmeyer and Zoe West, authors Lisa Martineau, Marc Aronson, Marina Budhos, Deborah Clearman, Roya Movafegh, and chiropractor and wellness expert Dr. Laura Brayton. 

Now in its second year, Think Thursdays is held once or twice a month from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. through spring 2012. Admission is $7 for THS family members and $10 for the general public. All are welcome to attend. 

"Parents often tell me they wish they could go back to school to study with our wonderful

teachers at The Hudson School.” said Suellen Newman, THS founder and director. “Our speakers' series, Think Thursdays, is intended to fulfill that desire and to provide an educational setting where adults can sit in on a provocative lecture or attend a film screening. Why should children have all the fun? Dinner table conversations will be that much more interesting if parents bring home interesting tidbits to share on a variety of topics. I’m especially delighted to have one of our own faculty members share his expertise and passions. I hope people will drop in from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. to learn something new and stimulating.” 

The Hudson School, a small, non-profit, independent school for grades 5-12 accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, was founded in 1978 by Suellen Newman. A community of scholars, it offers academically motivated and creative children a rigorous and broad college preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on the arts. The school’s need-blind admissions policy assures that its doors remain open to the families of every qualified child regardless of the family’s ability to pay. For information about the admissions process, please contact Mrs. Newman, founder and director, at 201.659.8335, ext. 107, or visit http://thehudsonschool.org/ .

All media inquiries for The Hudson School should be directed to Jahna Balk, THS Communications Coordinator and Development Director, at 201.659.8335.