A Recipe for Success: A Comparative View of Mathematics Teacher Education in Finland and Singapore

Abstract

Finland and Singapore are both nations that have excelled in mathematics on international assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Evidence of Finland’s educational success emerged with the outcome of the first PISA study in 2000. Since then, many have looked to Finland for explanations. Within the field of education, many believe the reasons for the success are primarily pedagogical, referring to Finland’s excellent teachers and high–quality teacher education. Similarly for Singapore, the consistency in the country’s good outcome in the TIMSS study has brought the world’s attention to this small island country. This article explores the similarities and differences in the educational systems of these two countries.