Here's a brief description of a 3-credit UVM course to be offered this summer with links to the 2nd Annual Rowland Conference on School Transformation. This intensive, one-week institute will bring together leaders of school transformation in Vermont schools and connect current transformation initiatives from around the state with the latest research.
You can choose the time and location by enrolling at UVM's Summer U here (choose EDLP from the drop-down menu):
http://learn.uvm.edu/courselistsummer/index.php
EDLP 380 (61346) Jun. 18-22 at Rutland H.S. with Adam Rosenberg
EDLP 380 (61348) Jul. 30-Aug.3 at UVM with Mike Martin
This article is from the discussion led by Rowland Fellow Adam Rosenberg who visited Finland in 2010. The author, Pasi Sahlberg, emphasizes how Finnish teachers are respected as innovators and experts in their field--much like the philosophy of the Rowland Foundation! He contrasts this approach with the test-based accountability system so prevalent in the U.S.
Here's another Finland article which discusses The Finland Phenomenon, a film featuring Tony Wagner's exploration of the Finnish school system. Wagner will be the keynote speaker at this year's Rowland Foundation Conference on School Transformation.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/11602/the_finland_phenomenon/
Watch The Finland Phenomenon trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcC2l8zioIw
For more on the Rowland Foundation Conference at the University of Vermont:
http://www.therowlandfoundation.org/annual_conference.shtml
When it comes to NCLB and educational opportunity, Darling-Hammond & Ravitch are rock stars in the field. Here's a very approachable presentation of some of their Finland ideas. Good for a school board meeting?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP3tF2fF2B4&feature=related
I believe that the most Powerful...and Empowering...piece of this is in Teacher Preparation. I also believe that this is where the biggest obstacles and push-back would be found if we were to try to implement this across Vermont.
Extensive resource for everything that you need for Project Based Learning.
Video, Tools, Research
Adam Rosenberg posted this a while ago, definitely worth another look.