Session Information
07 SES 14 B, The Collaborative Art of Beating the Odds: Promising Examples from Nordic Countries Experiencing Increasing Inequity and School segregation
Symposium
Contribution
This presentation explores Finland's approach to promoting equity in early childhood education (ECE) through needs-based funding for municipalities. This funding mechanism targets areas with higher proportions of families with low-income and with Finnish as a second language. In the light of economic research literature, educational resources play a significant role in educational practices and outcomes (e.g. Jackson & Persico 2023), and the allocation of needs-based funding can thus be seen as an effective means of preventing the development of inequality. By providing additional resources to municipalities, the initiative aims to support inclusive practices, enhance access to quality early education. Drawing on document data and interviews with ECEC centre directors and municipality officials, and Guattari’s (2009) idea of micropolitics, this presentation explores what needs based funding ‘does’ when it becomes entangled with everyday realities in ECEC. The findings reveal how local actors navigate the contextual challenges to foster equitable access and quality in ECE. This presentation offers insights into the transformative potential of micropolitical strategies in addressing educational inequities and advancing social inclusion. Based on the analysis, we will discuss the possibilities of needs-based funding in fostering inclusion and equity.
References
Guattari, F. (2009). Chaosophy: Texts and interviews 1972–1977. Semiotext(e). Jackson, C. K., & Persico, C. (2023). Point column on school spending: Money matters. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 42(4), 1118-1124.
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