Specialisation within the Finnish comprehensive school system

The passing of radical educational legislation in the 1990s in Finland has had far-reaching impacts on the comprehensive school system. This thesis discusses specialisation within the comprehensive school using the analytical lens of equity and equality of opportunity. The key questions are: first, what influences the interpretation of national educational policies regarding choice/diversity and equity/equality of opportunity at the local level; second, why and how schools in the case study city have specialised; and third, what impact this has had on equity and equality of opportunity. The findings emphasise decision-making, which reflects the particular economic and demographic circumstances in the municipality as well as concerns about social justice. The outcomes of some of the educational decision-making were found to increase inclusiveness and equality rather than exclusiveness and selection. The analysis should be of interest to anyone interested in market- oriented reforms in state education and the different ways that such reforms can be introduced, and in the various underlying reasons and outcomes of these types of reforms.

Autorentext

Annamari Ylonen, PhD: Studied Social Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, 2003-2008. Research Fellow (higher education policy and practice) at the University of Greenwich, London.