About Educational Innovations in the Senior Secondary Schools (Gymnasiums). Information Bulletin

Recent reform in Finnish elementary-level schools is affecting secondary and higher education as well. The five articles in this Bulletin describe some of the changes. "The Goals of School Democracy Reform" is a statement of educational goals: a democratic citizenry, educational planning coincident with national goals, the guarantee of democratic rights to all within the educational system, and increased student motivation. "School Democracy in Senior Secondary Schools" describes School Councils, established by Parliamentary legislation and elected in each school by students and teachers with equal representation for each, to coordinate educational planning and classroom instruction. "Period Teaching" describes a scheduling innovation that allows for concentration and continuity of study on one subject. "The Non-Graded Senior Secondary School" is described as a three year experiment, yet to be completely evaluated, which permits students to pursue discrete subjects made up of units (courses) that are individually paced and allow for graduation by course rather than by grade level. "Research Project on Non-Graded Senior Secondary School" describes the progress of the research aimed at investigating what occurs and what directions are being taken within the two experimental senior secondary school programs. (JH)