Education and Equality

Question 1

Education Policy

Answer 1

• Education for equality
• Equal education opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, location, background
• Education in public school system and higher education is free of charge
• Easy passages between levels

Question 2

Social Justice and Equity/Function of school

Answer 2

• Equity: Compensation of regional/gender differences or skill disadvantages (Work-Related immigration in 1970s posed challenges)
• More and better education for everyone as prerequisite for economic growth
• Bringing children with different background together as way to reduce social differences
• Aims of schooling: Develop Nordic Welfare state and social democratic thinking (Justice, equity, democracy, inclusion, …)

Question 3

Post War Education Policy

Answer 3

Comprehensive school reform:
- Increase of minimum level of education (7 to 9 years)
- Ease transition to tertiary education
- Increase equality of opportunities (socio-economic and geagraphical)
- Integration, equal rights for education, …
- Amongst other reforms

Question 4

Current challenges

Answer 4

• Since 1980s: New reforms and introduction of new values (competiotion, choice)
• International influence (e.g. Comparison)
• More children with immigrant background and other mother tongue

Question 5

Organization of Education

Answer 5

• Storting defines goals, legal framework and structures/organization
• Ministry of Education and Reserch defines policy (acts, regulations, curricula)
• School owners: Implementing activities, organising/operating school services, allocating resources

Question 6

Educational Loan Fund

Answer 6

• Grants on loans for students in higher education to cover living expenses and other costs associated with studies
• To make university accessible for all classes of society
• Bank and part of welfare state

Question 7

Values in school curriculum

Answer 7

• Human dignity
• Identity and cultural diversity
• Critical thinking and ethical awareness
• The joy of creating
• Respect for nature and enviromental awareness
• Democracy and participation

Question 8

Women in higher education

Answer 8

• From 40% in 1970 to 60% in 2020s
• Nursing, caring professions and teacher education female dominated, mechanical and computer technologies male dominated

Question 9

Influence of Background

Answer 9

• Students with parents who did not attend upper secundary/tertiary education and students with immigrant background tend to drop out more likely
• Decades of researches show that socioeconomic background still most important factor when predicting academic achievement
• Children of immigrants do relatively well in school but still experiences with exclusion and discrimination –> challenges of upholding cultural diversity and cohesive community

Question 10

The PISA shock

Answer 10

• Norwegian results worse than expected
• Right wing tried to use it for implementation of reform
• Norwegians not used to exams (?)
• socioeconomic status very low impact on reading scores
• Performance gaps between boys, girls and immigrants, non-immigrants still high