Denmark

1. Denmark Presented by: Steve T. Nelson

2. Map & Boundaries Denmark has had a large kingdom because of it’s rich history of exploration by the Norseman that started as fisherman of the North Atlantic. Denmark today is actually a kingdom of three souvenir states (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland). Denmark is the smallest of the Scandinavian countries being about half the size of Maine), it is also have over 406 islands.

3. History of Denmark • Denmark supported Napoleon during his campaigns so after the wars the Congress of Vienna put limitations and restrictions on Denmark resulting in the loss of Norway to Sweden in the early 1800’s. • During the 40’s and 50’s the relationship’s with its territories dissolved such as Iceland and Greenland declared their independence from Denmark. Even the Faroe Islands, which had also belonged to Denmark since 1380 were grant statehood in 1953. • More recently Denmark has had to create stricter guidelines for people seeking asylum because of their close proximity to Russia and the Middle East. They had a large serge in immigration which damage the economy in the late 90’s because they offered social welfare, and healthcare even if your were not a citizen of Denmark.

4. Demographics, Diversity and Equity “Domestic Germans" in Danish 526,000 is the population of Denmark (2009 est.) Median age total: 39.8 years (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.39 years (2009 est.) Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Population growth rate 0.33% (2006 est.) Migration rate 2.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

5. Interesting Information about Denmark • Denmark was ranked number one as the least corrupt country in the world in 2008, (Corruption Perceptions Index) • Denmark's language is closely shared with to Swedish and Norwegian to the North, with which it shares strong cultural and historical ties as well. Over 80% of the inhabitants of Denmark are Scandinavian and over 90% of the Danishes population are members of the Lutheran Church. • As of 2009, the population stood at 526,000 persons 88% have their origins in Scandinavia or elsewhere in Europe, the remainder percentage come from Asian countries and India because of industries that have moved into the country with good incentive plans to attract the businesses.

6. Culture-Beliefs Some of the things Denmark maybe known for are luger beer, spectacular gardens and vegetations,, folk high schools, fitness, personal well-being, and social membership in national culture. Most people are not married. 40% of the adult population is married, 45 %is unmarried, 7 % are divorced, and 7 % are widowed. (Divorce typically involves separation followed by a legal procedure for over a year). (Bacon. F, 1997 )Most (82%) go to church (Lutheran) and most (79%) live close to the city or in a city.

7. ***Members of the World • Danes pursue common interests in leisure, sports, and politics. Associations are essentially nongovernmental, originating in the late nineteenth century, when farmers and workers formed interest groups. • Today Denmark has the highest proportions of association membership in the world. More than 92% of the population belongs to an organization, and more than 73 % of the people have multiple memberships in more than three hundred thousand organizations.

8. Finance • Danes use the Krone not the Euro • The excellent reputation of the Danish labor force can to a large extent be ascribed to the traditional • awareness in Denmark of the importance of education. • They have a good reputation for industry design, and furniture production. • Clean Technology (over 5,500 Windmill Turbines so within the country they produce 30% of the countries power) • Royal Crown (The top pork producer in Europe)

9. Home Life Snapshot • The ideal household unit consists of a married couple and their children who are below the age of 20. • The average work week is 37 hours with ½ hour lunches. • 50 percent of households have only one adult (single, divorced with children, or widowed). • Extended families living together are rare. • Young people usually leave the parental home in their late teens. • Children use to stay in the same town or municipality as their parents, but today families are dispersed across the country. • The Danish Health System provides the same good quality of care, free of charge, to all its citizens regardless of economic standing. The costs of health care are financed through taxation.

10. Social Welfare • All residents receive social support when they are unemployed, either through union insurance or locally run programs. Workers receive compensation that is equal to slightly less than the lowest wages paid for regular, full-time employment, and they are also guaranteed housing, food, and other basic necessities. • After six months of unemployment, an individual meets with an officer from the local unemployment office to formulate a specific strategy for getting a new job. That strategy can include training, further education, or a government job that is supported by the local community in which the person lives. • Unemployment rate 1.5%(2009)

11. National Act to Preserve Denmark Historical Places Egeskov Castle is a well-preserved example of the Renaissance architecture in Denmark that has recently been resorted by the federal government .

12. Political Denmark is a constitutional monarchy in which succession to the throne is hereditary and the ruling monarch must be a member of the national church. The parliament has 179 members, including two from Greenland and two from the Faroe Islands. Members of parliament are elected for four-year terms, but the state minister has the right to dissolve the parliament and force an election. The voting age has been eighteen since 1978. Since 1989, immigrants without Danish nationality have been allowed to vote and be elected in local elections. Currently, ten political parties are represented in the parliament, ranging from socialist to conservative to liberal. Representatives to parliament are elected in local areas and thus represent their home localities as well as a political party.

13. Denmarks Economy Natural resources are limited to agricultural land, clay, stone, chalk, lime, peat, and lignite. The economy is therefore heavily dependent on international trade. Farming accounts for two-thirds of the total land area, and agriculture produces enough edible products for three times the population. Industrial exports account for about 75 percent of total exports, while the share of agricultural exports is about 15 percent. The main industries are food processing, furniture, diesel engines, and electrical products. Major agricultural products include dairy products, pork, beef, and barley. Commercial fishing includes salmon, herring, cod, plaice, crustaceans and mollusks, mackerel, sprat, eel, lobster, shrimp, and prawns.

14. Education • Today 96% of young people complete a secondary education programs. • 35% complete a higher education. In addition, great emphasis is placed on providing further education to the proportion of the current workforce who was educated only at elementary school level. This is one of the reasons why Danish businesses can maintain their competitiveness at a high level.

15. Structure and Governance of Educational System Most children enter kindergarten at age three, and many continue school attendance until their early teens. In 1997, more than 84 % of three- to six-year-olds attended some kind of day care institution. The pedagogy practiced in nursery schools, kindergartens, and after-school centers is not research-based but is informed by changing ideologies of what children are like and what they need. An ideology of "self-management" is practiced in many institutions, leaving it up to the children to decide what they want to do and how, where, and when to do it.

16. Educational System • In Denmark, equal access to education is the overriding principle. Consequently, all major activities within the Danish education system are financed through general taxes. • Denmark has 12 international schools offering a curriculum based on the English, German, French and Japanese educational systems, respectively. Tuition in English is available from kindergarten up to and including University level. Schools are fee-paying, but most of them are supported by the Danish government, which makes them significantly cheaper than international schools in other countries. • all school age children (up to 15 years or 9 years).

17. High School: • “In Denmark we start high school at 6 years old. The first class is called 0 class. The first year the kids play more than they learn. The kids are getting adjusted to the school system this way.High school is from 0 to 9/10 class being 16/17 years old when you finish. When you finish high school depends on your skills and which kind of college you decide to attend”. (Christiana Leerskov, resident of Denmark)

18. Curriculum • The Danish curriculum includes nine years of basic education with an additional 10th year (students aged 7 to 16 years). School subjects vary according to the school years and a choice of 30 subjects are available.

19. Denmark Education of choice The English National Curriculum is compulsory for students aged 5 to 16 years with the core subjects - English, Mathematics and Science studied by all students. The foundation subjects of Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education and Religious Education are applicable to students aged 5 to 14 years. A Modern Foreign Language is added to this list for students aged 11 to 14 years. History, Geography, Art, Music are removed from the compulsory list for students aged 14 to 16 years

20. Teaching Methods and Quality You will usually find a combination of lectures and tutorials, small classes offering the opportunity for discussion and group work. Students and researchers on science-based study programs will learn hands-on in the laboratory. Scandinavian education: in true Scandinavian tradition, learning develops in a democratic dialogue where teacher and student mutually exchange knowledge and ideas. Dynamic teaching: class sizes are small, with generally no more than 20 students, and focus on group work and interactive learning. Top teachers: lecturers and researchers are leaders in their field, experienced in imparting knowledge and inspiring students. E-learning tools: On the basis of modern e-learning theory various tools supporting teaching and learning processes are at disposal.

21. Reform • Although the Danish "national curriculum" is non-compulsory some Arts subjects in the Danish curriculum are compulsory. Music, Art, Textile Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, and Home Economics have been taught for most of this century. "Multi-Arts" is not included in the curriculum but the requirement of students to complete a mandatory interdisciplinary project at the 9th and 10th form levels may accommodate this area. Other Arts subjects available as options are Media, Photography, Film Knowledge, and Drama. • Individual Arts subjects are also a feature of the English National Curriculum. The subjects of Art, Music, Dance (within Physical Education), Drama and Media (within English) are part of the English National Curriculum and were chosen as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. Schools are not prevented from developing an "integrated arts" program, but the subjects are included separately as this is the simplest way to ensure specific skills, knowledge and understanding is taught.

22. Technology Denmark has established itself as a frontrunner within Information and Communications Technology (ICT), which continues to be one of the major global engines for growth, innovation and economic development. The facts and numbers below tell the story of how Denmark has created a strong information society, which offers a prime location for foreign direct investment. Denmark & ICT – from a global perspective No. 1 in the world on E-readiness (Economist Intelligence Unit 2009) No. 1 in the world on laws relating to ICT (WEF Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009) No. 1 in the world on networked readiness (WEF Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009) No. 1 in the world on IDC’s Information Society Index (IDC 2009) No. 1 in the world on number of broadband subscribers per thousand inhabitants (The World Competitiveness Yearbook, IMD 2009) No. 2 in the world on eGovernment in terms of best national practice – (UN E-government Survey 2008) No. 2 in the world on Communications Technology that meets business requirements (The World Competitiveness Yearbook, IMD 2009) No. 2 in the world on no. of internet users per 100 people (IMD Word Competitiveness Yearbook 2009) No. 3 in the world on availability of information technology skills (The World Competitiveness Yearbook, IMD 2009) No. 4 in the world on development and application of technology (The World Competitiveness Yearbook, IMD 2009) No. 4 in the world on computers per capita (IMD Word Competitiveness Yearbook 2009) No. 7 in the world on availability of latest technologies (WEF, The Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009) Denmark has established itself as a frontrunner within Information and Communications Technology (ICT), which continues to be one of the major global engines for growth, innovation and economic development. The facts and numbers below tell the story of how Denmark has created a strong information society, which offers a prime location for foreign direct investment.

23. Special Education Denmark is a country with a relatively high amount of the budget placed on education, and was one of the first countries in the Integration movement. Now the country is including all but 1.25% of all pupils in a comprehensive school. The 1.25% are attending special schools or special classes. To make this possible, 13% of all students in regular schools on a yearly basis receive special needs education support as a supplement to regular education. Special education within the regular school system has existed for 99 years, and special teacher training has a 66-year history, originating in training of speech therapists. At present, the prevalence of special needs education is between 25 and 35%, and this gives rise to questions about the relation between special needs education and differentiation of instruction which, in turn, has implications for training of teachers in special needs education.

24. Class size and Ratio The average ratio is 19 to 20 student per in high school and college level classes. Waldorf School

25. Per Pupil Expenditure

26. Discipline No corporal punishment is allow within Denmark at home or in school they have several behavioral interventions to assist students with social, emotional development and understanding. They incorporate seminars and group therapies into the daily curriculum at the High School level.

27. Assessment • A New 7-Point Grading Scale • The 7-point grading scale consists of five marks designating a passing level (12, 10, 7, 4 and 02) as well as two marks designating a non-passing level (00 and -3). The scale has been developed in part from a desire to simplify the compatibility between Danish and foreign grading scales, and, pivotally, to provide a clear correlation between the descriptions for the individual marks and the academic objectives. • 12: For an excellent performance. • 10: For a very good performance. • 7: For a good performance. • 4: For a fair performance. • 02: For an adequate performance. • 00: For an inadequate performance. • -3: For an unacceptable performance. “In Denmark we have 7 kind of grades.-03 (In America this is an F)00 (FX)02 (E)4 (D)7 (C)10 (B)12 (A)” (Christiana Leerskov)

28. Folks High Schools • The Danish Folk High Schools offer non-formal adult education. Most students are between 18 and 24 years old and the length of a typical stay is 4 months. You sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no academic requirements for admittance and there are no exams - but you will get a diploma as a proof of your attendance. • Teaching in the Folk High School is characterized by professionalism and dedication. Classes are based on dialogue and mutual learning between teachers and students. The main focus is to discover and strengthen the unique skills of each student in a challenging yet supportive social atmosphere.

29. Folk High Schools • The first folk high school was established in 1844 in Rodding in Denmark. • A pioneer for the folk high school was the teacher Christen Kold. His, for that time, highly unorthodox way of teaching gave the folk high schools a broader democratic basis in comparison to the initial religious focus. • The modern folk high schools vary significantly. Some still have a religious focus but most of them are secular. The schools are still “Grundtvigian” folk high schools which mean that their focus is on enlightenment, ethics, moral and democracy although it’s not taught explicitly. The folk high school thoughts are embedded in teaching of various subjects, e.g. arts, gymnastics, or journalism. Most of the schools have a special focus on for example arts, sports, sciences, music or writing. Since no degree or diploma is awarded the teaching is more free and informal than at normal educational institutions. http://www.hojskolerne.dk/the-danish-folk-high-school

30. After High School • When you have finished high school, it is possible to study different kinds of educations in the evenings and also to attend the university.“In Denmark we do not pay for our education. High school, college and the university is free to attend.If you are a student in Denmark, you get around 800 dollars a month by the government to finance food and somewhere to live” (Birger Larsen, resident of Denmark)They pay around 40% in taxes in Denmark, and some of this is used to finance the education.

31. Higher Education There are five universities: the University of Copenhagen, the University of Southern Denmark, the University of Aarhus, Aalborg University, and Roskilde University Center. In 1996, 167,764 students were enrolled in those institutions: 93,544 women and 74,220 men. All children in Denmark are obligated to complete nine years of school, either at private or public institutions. After they have fulfilled that requirement, 50 percent of the students choose a trade by entering vocational training, which includes an apprenticeship and formal schooling. Orestad College

32. 3 types of College • “You normally attend the Gymnasium and technical college after 9 class, if your skills are ok. At business college you normally take 10 class before you start”. (Christina Leerskov) • Technical college:If you want to become a hairdresser, baker, painter, etc, you study on the technical college. It is practically learning combined with school and it normally takes 2-4 years for these kind of educations.

33. Colleges • Gymnasium:It takes 3 years to finish. There is a math and a linguistic line.Business college:HHX : takes 3 years to finish. It is like the gymnasium, just more business oriented.HHX-international: Takes 3 years to finish and is the same as HHX above, but there is more class hours do to extra lessons in international history and culture. As a part of the education you have to attend a college in an other country as well.

34. Colleges • HG: Takes 2 years to finish. It is practical learning combined with school. (if you want to work as a sales assistant in a store)HF: If you have finished the gymnasium and decide to have business as a part of your education as well, you can study HF and finish it on 2 years.

35. Higher Education • 30% select a one-to three-year college training program, which prepares them for teaching, nursing, or other professional occupations. • The remaining 20% enter university. Nearly 2/3rds of graduating students apply for university, but the majority are not admitted; those who are turned down either reapply the next year or select one of the vocational or college options. • A lot of students do not finish their education because it has no costs for them to quit. They can just start and other education for free. • Admission has become increasingly competitive, based on grade point averages. • All higher education is free of charge.

36. Future National Goals for Denmark’s Educational System • Goals for the future are innovation, entrepreneurship, math, ICT, natural sciences. • ASEMME – Asia Europe Meeting Management & Education scheduled for 2011 in Copenhagen (Regions of Asia and Europe). http://www.eng.uvm.dk/Uddannelse/General/Presentation%20film.aspx

37. Reference • Britt Koch Franczek-Pedersen , November 2, 2003, The Danish Education System, SCA Scandinavia Association. • Bacon, Frank, 1997, DENMARK: A Scandinavian education system, Volume 9, Issue 8 pg.338 – 341,MCB UP Ltd. • Jensen, Bjarne Bruun; Schnack, Karsten, 2006, The action competence approach in environmental education, Environmental Education Research, Volume 12, Numbers 3-4, -4/July-September, pp. 471-486(16), Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.