Educational System of Norway Matt Sanchez Norway

Educational System of Norway Matt Sanchez

Norway – General Facts Head of State: His Majesty, King Harald V of Norway Head of Government: Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg System of Government: Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary democracy Area: 385, 199 km² (size of Montana) Population (2009): 4, 799, 252 (approx 5 x Montana) Population per km² land area: 16 Capital city: Oslo Language: Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk), in some districts, Sámi is also an official language GDP (2008): About $4 billion (USD) Population growth (2008): 1. 3 Average life expectancy (2008): female, 83 years and male, 78 years

Norway - Highlights Average years of schooling of adults – 11. 8, 2 nd out of 100. Enrollment ratio for secondary level – 95%, 4 th out of 135. Grade 12 advanced students science – 581, 1 st out of 15. Literacy of adult population – 100%, 1 st out of 160. School life expectancy total – 16, 9 years, 1 st out of 110. Tertiary enrollment – 70%, 4 th out of 151.

Norway – Culture/Beliefs/History Education dates back as far as the 12 th century. In 1827 Norway introduced the predecessor to their current public education (Folkeskole). Mandatory 7 years. In the 1970 s and 80 s the Folkeskole was abolished and the Grunnskole was introduced. Education is free, even higher education. Publically funded services for all.

Norway - Structure and Governance Governed by the Minister of Education within the Ministry of Education and Research Compulsory Education Age of entry – 6 Age of exit – 16 Primary School (Grunnskole, Barnetrinnet) Length of Program – 7 years, from age 6 to 13 Lower Secondary (Grunnskole, Ungdomstrinnet) Length of Program – 3 years, from 13 to 16

Norway – Struct. and Governance…cont. Upper Secondary (Videregaende Skole) Upper Secondary Age level is 16 to 19 First Year - Foundation courses, Second Year – Advanced Course I, and Third Year – Advanced Course II Diploma (Vitnemal Fra Videregaenda Skole) Vocational Age level is 16 to 19 Craft/Journeyman certificate Apprenticeship Age level is 16 to 19 Trade certificate

Norway - Finance Spending on education is about 7. 6% of GDP. Ranked number one in spending on educational institutions for OECD countries as % of GDP (2003). Funding comes through the Ministry of Education and Research. Large part of Norway’s economy is based on oil prices. Norway has experienced economic recession and therefore budget cuts are not uncommon. Approximately $8, 200 (USD) is spent per child (primary/secondary years). Approximately $13, 200 is spent per student at tertiary level.

Norway – Curr. /Teaching Methods Common learning content for all students Student-centered/adapted learning (individualized). Focused on developing a citizen of democracy; political, social, occupational. Focus on langauges, math, science, history, and art. Increases in scope, but is greatest at the lower secondary stage. Supplemented to adapt to local conditions and to the individual pupil. Curriculum is adapted to the student (reform effort). Sami (native people) curriculum Intended to build a sense of security with respect to the student’s culture. Equipping the student to take an active part in the community.

Norway - Assessment Primary school No official grades are given although the instructor may put an official grade on tests. Lower secondary school Grades are now assigned and are used to determine if the student will get the high school of their choice.

Norway - Technology is prevalent in education system. Reform efforts have led to an increase in technology in non core subjects. Online technology is used highly in adult education.

Norway - Special Education Special education is available for persons with disabilities or those with special needs who are otherwise unable to participate in ordinary school teaching activities. Focus on integrating the child into the mainstream. Norway’s special education programs also focus on foreign minorities who do not speak the native language.

Norway - Reform Although upper secondary school is not compulsory, recent changes to the law (1994) and society make it virtually required. During the 1990’s several reforms took place throughout the whole of the education system in Norway. Mergers of colleges of higher education. Upper secondary education, with a statutory right for all and new curricula. Make attendance a virtual requirement. New curriculum for primary education and school age starts at 6. Adult education – the competence reform Get more out of the current population.

Norway – Reform…cont. In June 2001, Norwegian Parliament passed extensive reform (Quality Reform) in higher education. New degree structure Bachelors – 3 years, Masters – 2 years, and Ph. D – 2 years Restructuring of academic credit Redefinition of governing bodies and management More study abroad opportunities Institutions have greater autonomy in academic and financial matters. Increase the use of technology.

Norway - Teacher Education Pre-primary school teachers Three years of training at university college of education. Primary school teachers Allmenlaerer – general subject teacher – 4 years of training. Faglaere – single subject teacher – 3 years of training. Secondary school teachers Requirements of primary school + one year of additional subjects, higher university degree, and one year of a teacher training program. Primary teacher starting salary - $22, 194 (USD)

Norway - Diversity and Equity Concerned over gender equity in primary education. Ranks second (UNDP Human Development Index 2003) in terms of its economic and political gender equality. Norway has a high immigrant population. These students also get a free education and special attention to the language so that they can be integrated into the normal classroom.

Norway - Class Size Norway’s population is somewhat scattered. 40% of primary and lower secondary schools are small, children of different ages are taught together. Class size by level. Primary – 10. 3 (mean of OECD countries, 16. 6). Lower secondary – 10. 1 (OECD mean, 14. 4). Upper secondary – 9. 2 (OECD mean, 13. 1). All tertiary – 13. 2

Norway - Discipline Abolished corporal punishment. Curriculum is student focused and there is high level of parent involved; focus on communication with parents. Praise and providing extra recess are frequently used reward techniques. Verbal reprimands are one of the most frequently used negative reinforcement.

Norway - Higher Education Ministry of Education and Research has authority over all higher education. Mainly state institutions Universities – 6 Specialized University Colleges – 6 University Colleges – 31 Art Colleges - 2

Reference Ministry of Education and Research – http: //www. regjeringen. no/en/dep/kd. html? id=586 Nation Master - http: //www. nationmaster. com/index. php Organisation for Economic and Co-Operation and Development – www. oecd. org Statistics Norway - http: //www. ssb. no/english/ World Higher Education Database – Norway – Education System