Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Reading
In Finland, a master’s degree is a prerequisite for teacher qualification. Eight universities provide teacher education for general classroom teachers as well as subject teachers. The general content and structure of teacher education programs and the master’s degree program requirements are regulated by the government.16 Universities have independence regarding the specific content of teacher education programs. 17
The major subject for prospective classroom teachers for Grades 1 to 6 is education. This program requires five to eight credits (2 percent to 3 percent of the master’s degree) in mother tongue, including methods of teaching reading and writing. Many universities also offer optional studies in the teaching of Mother Tongue and Literature.
Subject teachers of Mother Tongue and Literature major either in the Finnish language or literature and minor in pedagogical studies (60 credits). Both classroom teachers’ and subject teachers’ pedagogical studies include a guided practicum. The extent of the classroom teachers’ practicum varies, consisting of 20 to 33 credits (7 percent to 11 percent of the master’s degree). The subject specialist teachers’ practicum is 20 credits (7 percent of the master’s degree) in most universities.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers
Teachers’ collective agreements on working conditions regulate their obligation to participate in professional development for three days during each school year.18 However, school development and teachers’ professional learning often are integrated in projects, with additional time spent on professional development. Teacher employers such as municipalities typically are responsible for organizing and funding their staff’s professional development, including in-service training. The content and focus of in service training varies among municipalities and regional authorities.
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish National Agency for Education provide funding that municipalities can apply for, and they provide in-service training that usually focuses on topics relevant to national education policy and new curricula.19 In recent years, in-service teacher education participation has decreased, with more attention being paid to teachers’ induction time after graduation.20