Amanda Ripley

The ability of a workforce to learn, think, and adapt was the ultimate stimulus package.

The Power of Rigorous Education

Amanda Ripley emphasizes that rigorous education is crucial for preparing students for the modern world. Countries like Finland and South Korea excel because they maintain high academic standards and focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For instance, Finland's education system, which is built on trust and minimal competition, consistently produces top-performing students. Ripley notes, 'In countries with strong education systems, school is actually harder. Rigor runs through those countries’ approaches to learning and parenting.' This idea underscores the importance of challenging curricula and high expectations in fostering student success.

Educational Reforms and Their Impact

Systemic educational reforms can lead to significant improvements in student performance. Poland's 1999 education reform, which included delaying tracking and increasing school autonomy, resulted in a remarkable rise in PISA rankings. The average reading score of Polish fifteen-year-olds increased by twenty-nine points, equating to almost three-quarters of a school year of learning. Ripley notes, 'The expectations had gone up, and these kids had met them.' This example demonstrates that well-designed reforms, based on evidence and tailored to specific contexts, can drive educational success.

Without data, you are just another person with an opinion.

PISA is not a traditional school test. It’s actually challenging, because you have to think.

PISA demanded fluency in problem solving and the ability to communicate; in other words, the basic skills I needed to do my job and take care of my family in a world choked with information and subject to sudden economic change.

The Role of Teacher Quality

Teacher quality is a critical determinant of educational success. In top-performing countries, teachers undergo rigorous selection and training processes. For example, in Finland, only the top third of high school graduates are admitted to teacher training programs, and they must earn a master's degree. This rigorous preparation ensures that teachers are well-equipped to deliver high-quality education. Ripley states, 'The Finns decided that the only way to get serious about education was to select highly educated teachers, the best and brightest of each generation, and train them rigorously.' This approach elevates the teaching profession and improves student outcomes.

Cultural Attitudes Towards Education

Cultural attitudes play a significant role in shaping educational outcomes. In countries like Korea and Finland, education is treated with a high level of seriousness, and there is a national consensus on its importance. This cultural mindset leads to more focused curricula, better teacher training, and higher expectations for students. Ripley observes, 'In Korea and Finland, despite all their differences, everyone—kids, parents, and teachers—saw getting an education as a serious quest.' This shared belief in the value of education drives students to work harder and achieve more.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic status (SES) significantly impacts educational outcomes. The OECD's Economic, Social, and Cultural Index (ESCS) provides a comprehensive measure of SES, considering factors like parents' education levels and home resources. Ripley highlights that American students in the top quartile of the SES index ranked eighteenth in math in 2009, revealing the disparity in educational achievement based on socioeconomic factors. She notes, 'Students’ answers to these kinds of questions tend to be surprisingly accurate—and the results can better predict educational success than income alone.' This insight underscores the need to address SES-related disparities in education.

Parental Involvement and Student Success

Parental involvement is crucial for student success, but the type of involvement matters. Research shows that parents who engage in meaningful conversations about social issues and read for pleasure with their children have a more positive impact on academic performance than those who volunteer in extracurricular activities. Ripley explains, 'Parents who view themselves as educational coaches tend to read to their children every day when they are small; when their children get older, they talk with them about their days and about the news around the world.' This approach fosters academic resilience and a culture of rigor.

Encourage Critical Thinking

Focus on teaching students how to think critically and solve problems rather than just memorizing facts. Incorporate real-world scenarios and practical applications into the curriculum to enhance these skills.

Invest in Teacher Training

Ensure that teacher-training programs are highly selective and rigorous, similar to Finland's model. This includes extensive coursework, hands-on teaching practice, and original research.

Promote Parental Engagement

Create opportunities for parents to participate in their children's education, such as parent-teacher meetings, workshops, and volunteer programs. This involvement can foster a supportive learning environment and improve student outcomes.

Adopt Holistic Metrics

Schools and policymakers should consider adopting more comprehensive metrics like the ESCS to better understand and address educational disparities.

Implement Systemic Reforms

Countries looking to improve their education systems should consider systemic reforms that delay tracking and increase school autonomy, as evidenced by Poland's success.

Eric had read all about the hard-working Koreans who trounced the Americans in math, reading, and science. He hadn’t read anything about shamelessly sleeping through class.

In Korea, your education can be reduced to a number. If your number is good, you have a good future.

The system was as predictable as it was brutal. It sent a very clear message to children about what mattered: University admissions were based on students’ skills as measured by the test. Full stop.

If I wanted to see what a truly free-market education system looked like, I would have to stay up late.

If the work was hard, routine failure was the only way to learn.

Minnesota had started with a relatively strong education system. Then they’d made a few pragmatic changes, the kind of commonsense repairs you would make if you believed math was really, truly important.

The Finns decided that the only way to get serious about education was to select highly educated teachers, the best and brightest of each generation, and train them rigorously.

There just seemed to be something in the air here. Whatever it was, it made everyone more serious about learning, even the kids who had not bought into other adult dictates.

With the new, higher standards and more rigorous teacher training in place, Finland’s top-down, No-Child-Left-Behind-style mandates became unnecessary.

It was almost as if we wanted the prestige of Finland’s teachers—but didn’t really believe that our teachers needed to be highly educated and unusually accomplished in order to merit that prestige.

Maybe the real mystery was not why Finnish kids cared so much, but why so many of her Oklahoma classmates did not.

Parents who discussed movies, books, and current affairs with their kids had teenagers who performed better in reading.

A coddled, moon bounce of a childhood could lead to young adults who had never experienced failure or developed self-control or endurance—experiences that mattered as much or more than academic skills.

To work, praise had to be specific, authentic, and rare.

In Korea and Finland, despite all their differences, everyone—kids, parents, and teachers—saw getting an education as a serious quest, more important than sports or self-esteem.

Conscientiousness—a tendency to be responsible, hardworking, and organized—mattered at every point in the human life cycle.

The ability of a workforce to learn, think, and adapt was the ultimate stimulus package.

10. Education Can Bridge Divides: Quality education that promotes critical thinking, empathy, and intercultural understanding can break down barriers and create a more just and equitable society.

9. Lifelong Learning is Essential: Education isn't a one-time event but a continuous journey. Encouraging a love of learning equips individuals to adapt and thrive in a constantly changing world.

8. Play Fuels Learning: Playful activities and hands-on learning can spark curiosity, engagement, and deeper understanding. Making learning fun and interactive improves motivation and retention.

7. Mistakes are Opportunities: Embracing a growth mindset encourages students to see mistakes as learning opportunities, not failures. Experimentation and iteration are crucial for innovation and personal growth.

6. Learning Can Happen Anywhere: Education doesn't need to be confined to classrooms. Real-world experiences, apprenticeships, and community interactions can be powerful learning tools.

5. Holistic Development: Education should extend beyond academics, fostering social-emotional skills, resilience, and a sense of citizenship. Preparing students for life, not just exams, is essential.

4. Relationships are Key: Strong bonds between teachers, students, and families create a supportive learning environment where individuals feel valued and encouraged to thrive.

3. Competence Over Competition: Shifting the focus from constant testing and ranking to skill development and mastery helps students gain confidence and a love for learning. Collaboration over competition fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills.

2. Context Matters: Understanding the cultural and societal context of education systems is crucial for appreciating different approaches to learning. What works in one place might not translate directly to another.

1. Learning Can Be Joyful: The book emphasizes that education needn't be rote memorization and stressful tests. Fostering curiosity, creativity, and collaboration can make learning an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Without data, you are just another person with an opinion.

PISA is not a traditional school test. It’s actually challenging, because you have to think.

PISA demanded fluency in problem solving and the ability to communicate; in other words, the basic skills I needed to do my job and take care of my family in a world choked with information and subject to sudden economic change.

Eric had read all about the hard-working Koreans who trounced the Americans in math, reading, and science. He hadn’t read anything about shamelessly sleeping through class.

In Korea, your education can be reduced to a number. If your number is good, you have a good future.

The system was as predictable as it was brutal. It sent a very clear message to children about what mattered: University admissions were based on students’ skills as measured by the test. Full stop.

If I wanted to see what a truly free-market education system looked like, I would have to stay up late.

If the work was hard, routine failure was the only way to learn.

Minnesota had started with a relatively strong education system. Then they’d made a few pragmatic changes, the kind of commonsense repairs you would make if you believed math was really, truly important.

The Finns decided that the only way to get serious about education was to select highly educated teachers, the best and brightest of each generation, and train them rigorously.

There just seemed to be something in the air here. Whatever it was, it made everyone more serious about learning, even the kids who had not bought into other adult dictates.

With the new, higher standards and more rigorous teacher training in place, Finland’s top-down, No-Child-Left-Behind-style mandates became unnecessary.

It was almost as if we wanted the prestige of Finland’s teachers—but didn’t really believe that our teachers needed to be highly educated and unusually accomplished in order to merit that prestige.

Maybe the real mystery was not why Finnish kids cared so much, but why so many of her Oklahoma classmates did not.

Parents who discussed movies, books, and current affairs with their kids had teenagers who performed better in reading.

A coddled, moon bounce of a childhood could lead to young adults who had never experienced failure or developed self-control or endurance—experiences that mattered as much or more than academic skills.

To work, praise had to be specific, authentic, and rare.

In Korea and Finland, despite all their differences, everyone—kids, parents, and teachers—saw getting an education as a serious quest, more important than sports or self-esteem.

Conscientiousness—a tendency to be responsible, hardworking, and organized—mattered at every point in the human life cycle.