Introduction: Finnish-inspired learning environments are designed to optimize learning for every child; students are given ample time and support to learn, they're given daily problems to increase their problem solving skills, they’re given choices that align with their own interests, and opportunities to collaborate, to research, to design, and to question. The Finnish system is designed for students to be treated with compassion, and supported with the knowledge that they are unique and valued for their capacity to succeed and contribute to society.*

In order to adapt these successful Finnish teaching methods to large heterogeneous classrooms, it's important to make adjustments so that each student's learning can be assessed - as well as optimized. Since this is difficult to do with large numbers of students, I developed Three-Level Challenges to address this problem.

It would be a wrong to start with the Three-Level Challenges and expect high proficiency without first creating optimal learning environments. Don't be tempted to make short cuts; your students deserve your best. You need to focus on both steps - Parts I and II.

You may need to toss away many traditional modes of teaching in order to create optimal environments. You will no longer be grading by the bell curve, using percentages to evaluate student success, creating arbitrary learning deadlines, refusing to allow students to retake quizzes, or teach to the middle of a class. In order to be assessed, students have to produce something to show what they've learned.

By participating in this project, you are now part of a global learning community. Let me know how it's going, how you're doing, and most importantly, how your students are learning.

"This approach allows the high achievers to do their best and the low achievers to do their best.

No one is left behind."

El Toro High School Student, age 16

Thank you to the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Program, The Fulbright Center in Finland, the University of Eastern Finland, the teachers of Finland, and Terri Gusiff, principal at El Toro High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, for supporting this work.

Other Publications by Janet English:

• "How Finnish-inspired Teaching Methods Improved Learning in a US Classroom", OECD Education and Skills Today, October 15, 2018
• The Finnish Way to Optimize Student Learning, e-book, available
• "US Teacher Gets Finnish Lesson in Optimizing Student Potential, Part I", OECD Insights, September 23, 2103
• "US Teacher Gets Finnish Lesson in Optimizing Student Potential, Part II", OECD Insights, September 24, 2103
• "Every Child has Special Needs: Secrets of Finnish Education" , OECD Insights, May 12, 2104

For more information contact: Janet English: janet.lee.english@gmail.com

*The teaching conditions in Finland have become more challenging due to cuts in funding and an increase in teachers' responsibilities. In the Finnish style, however, it's very possible they are considering what's working and what isn't working so that these challenges can be overcome.