[ExI] Gifted children

[Omar Rahman]

Sondre,

Probably the last thing a Norwegian wants to hear, but, try Finland. Finland has some of the best and most unconventional schools in the world.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/

Of particular note from the Atlantic article: "In fact, since academic excellence wasn't a particular priority on the Finnish to-do list, when Finland's students scored so high on the first PISA survey in 2001, many Finns thought the results must be a mistake. But subsequent PISA tests confirmed that Finland -- unlike, say, very similar countries such as Norway -- was producing academic excellence through its particular policy focus on equity."

They are 'over the top' socialised schools which turn many educational paradigms on their heads.

Regards,

Omar Rahman



> If we get our first proper right-wing government in the next election, the
> situation might improve in the coming years, but I have my doubts. What I
> do think will happen, is advances to online schooling and education. With
> kids growing up in rural places who learn a lot from computers (and
> smartphones) from when they are young, there should probably be a decent
> market to fulfill with online classrooms. Just think about the amount of
> kids growing up in poor families and conditions around the world, they can
> still get hold of cheap computers and smartphones and kick-start their own
> educations wherever they are. But it can only take you so far...
> 
> A friend of mine was gifted as a child. He was put in a class with only
> troubled kids. I can promise you, it was not good for him ;-)
> 
> Thanks,
> Sondre
> 
> 
> On Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 12:51 PM, BillK <pharos at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> On Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 9:25 AM, Sondre Bjell?s  wrote:
>>> We live in Norway and our daughter is still only 19+ months old, but
>> we've
>>> already started thinking about what we can do for her in regards to
>>> schooling. Here in Norway, there are virtually no private alternatives
>> other
>>> than religious schools. The public schools are some of the worst in the
>>> world and Norwegians score poorly in global tests.
>>> 
>>> Which country would be a good alternative where one would be able to get
>> a
>>> visa, permanent residency?
>>> 
>> <snip>
>>> 
>>> I'm sorry for ranting on like this, but my concern is that she will be
>>> extremely bored at school when she's 6 as I'm sure she will be ahead of
>> the
>>> average. Or, she might not, we love her anyhow! :-) Wouldn't want to
>>> home-school her, she would be better off with lots of other kids around.
>>> What would your suggestions be as parents on your own?
>>> 
>> 
>> Moving to a different country is not a trivial task. I'd spend more
>> time investigating Norway and Sweden educational possibilities. It may
>> only mean moving nearer a better school in Norway. You just need to
>> find it.
>> 
>> Remember - you are not alone. There must be hundreds (at least) gifted
>> children in Norway /Sweden.
>> Use the web and contacts to find out what other parents are doing, -
>> clubs, societies, special schools, advanced courses, etc.
>> 
>> Best wishes, BillK

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