2 weeks after my Erasmus+ course in Reykjavik, I'm still trying to understand what we have seen and learnt. And to answer all the questions I still have in my mind.
The Icelandic system is very close to the Finnish one, but why does it have different results?
But on the other side, what are the basic choices in a school system?
And finally, is PISA a good way to assess school systems?
On the website of an American Montessori school I have found the following article which focuses on some basic points:

• PISA has been organised to assess school systems on the basis of a competitive mentality which is the one the American school system is based on;
• Success is based on equity, not privilege, on cooperation, non competition;
• The success of a country is not measured by the achievements of the best, but by the fact that no child is left behind.

The American system does not contemplate the idea that education should be given in state schools where competition is not the main goal.

This article sheds light on some interesting points that can help us understand the Icelandic school system better, and ours.

What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success

by Sergey Ivanov

https://desertgardenmontessori.org/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/

DEC 29 2011, 3:00 PM ET 299
The Scandinavian country is an education superpower because it values equality more than excellence.