New research from Finland reinforces the importance of teaching higher-order skills. The Ministry of Culture and Education in Finland just released the findings from the KAPPAS2 project that found that students just starting their studies have the weakest higher-order skills (termed “generic skills” in the report) while students nearing graduation have the highest. The study involved 3,400 students across 18 Finnish institutions.
“CAE is honored that the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+) was used in this important study… The data highlight the need to intentionally teach higher-order skills throughout the educational experience,” said Doris Zahner, Ph.D., CAE’s Chief Academic Officer.
The research is clear: when students direct their own learning, they engage more deeply and grow faster. But that shift doesn't happen on its own. Educators need real support to change how they work with kids, and good tools matter. That's why we're excited to bring CAE's Critical Thinking Skills Program to the educators we work with.—Dr. Caleb Collier, Director of the ISDL
