Finland shocked the world when its fifteen-year-olds scored highest on the first Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a set of tests touted for evaluating critical-thinking skills in maths, science and reading. That was in 2001; but even today, this tiny Nordic nation continues to amaze. How does Finnish education—with short school days, light homework loads and little standardised testing—produce students who match the PISA scores of high-powered, stressed-out kids in Asia? When Timothy D. Walker started teaching fifth graders at a Helsinki public school, he began a search for the secrets behind the success of Finland’s schools. Walker has already written about several of those discoveries and his Atlantic article on this topic received more than 500,000 shares. Here, he gathers all he has learned and reveals how teachers can implement these simple practices, which integrate seamlessly with educational standards.

According to a professional association of 67,000 pediatricians, "the lifelong success of children is based on their ability to be creative and to apply the lessons learned from playing." But play-including physical activity, the arts, and even free play-is being eliminated in our society and schools and despite huge financial investment these education policies have not improved learning. In Let the Children Play, the authors, both fathers of school-age children, tell how switching countries - Pasi Sahlberg brought his Finnish family to the United States, while William Doyle brought his American family to Finland - shocked them into writing this book. With research breakthroughs and case histories from Finland, China, Singapore, Scotland, New York, Texas, and around the world, the authors reveal how intellectual and physical play is the ultimate engine of transforming education - the key to giving our children the well-being, happiness, and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century, including curiosity, creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and empathy. Written for parents, educators, and policymakers, this book reveals a striking vision of an inspiring future of our children's education-and how to make it happen.

In Teachers We Trust presents a compelling vision, offering practical ideas for educators and school leaders wishing to develop teacher-powered education systems. It reveals why teachers in Finland hold high status and shows what the country's trust-based school system looks like in action. Pasi Sahlberg and Timothy D. Walker suggest seven key principles for building a culture of trust in schools, from offering clinical training for future teachers to encouraging student agency to fostering a collaborative professionalism among educators. In Teachers We Trust is essential reading for all teachers, administrators and parents who entrust their children to the school system.

Exploring and analyzing how Finland consistently places at or near the top of international student assessments, especially PISA, has become popular in recent years. Pasi Sahlberg now explores this phenomenon from the perspective of the educational leader. With the culture of general and educational leadership in Finland as a backdrop, this resource is packed with strategies and tools that travel well. The book covers topics such as enhancing equity as an essential component of success, using physical activity to promote learning and the perseverance needed to embed ideas into leadership practice.

The first two editions of Finnish Lessons described how a small Nordic nation built a school system that provided access to a world-class education for all of its young people. Now available in 30 languages, this Grawemeyer Award-winning book continues to influence education policies and school practices around the globe. In this Third Edition, Pasi Sahlberg updates the story of how Finland sustains its exemplary educational performance, including how it responds to turbulent changes at home and throughout the world. Finnish Lessons 3.0 includes important new material about: teachers and teacher education teaching children with special needs the role of play in high-quality education Finland's responses to growing inequality, slipping international test scores, and the global pandemic In the midst of national education reforms and global changes driven by public health crises and economic turbulence, Finnish Lessons 3.0 encourages teachers, students, and policymakers to think big and bold when they look for new solutions to improving their schools and entire education systems. This edition provides an even deeper dive into the present world of education in Finland in light of the most recent education statistics and international data, including PISA 2018, TIMSS 2016, and TALIS 2018.

If we teach in the way that human brains learn, both students and their teachers will thrive! This book aligns evidence from the learning sciences on how and what students need to learn with classroom practice (pre-K-12). It demonstrates, with hands-on examples, how a change in educational mindset (rather than in curriculum) can improve student outcomes on both standardized tests and a breadth of 21st-century skills skills. Written collectively by classroom teachers, administrators, parents, and learning scientists, this book shows readers how to co-construct and reimagine an optimal educational system. Making Schools Work offers three case studies of schools, including a statewide system, that are all realizing a 6 Cs approach to learning focused on collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence. The text documents the ever-evolving implementation process, as well as outcomes and the ongoing work of stakeholders. Readers can use this resource to create an education for all children that is culturally responsive, inclusive, effective, and fun.Book Features: Helps educators teach in the way that human minds learn. Jointly written in accessible language by teachers, administrators, parents, and learning scientists. Offers hands-on ways to reimagine classrooms without investing in new curricula. Puts teachers in the driver's seat, reminding them of why they teach. Provides culturally responsive, inclusive, effective, and fun strategies. Offers children the possibility of learning the skills they will need for 21st-century skills success.

This new book, from internationally renowned education scholar Pasi Sahlberg and his colleagues, focuses on some of the most controversial issues in contemporary education reform around the world. The authors devote a chapter to each of these "hard questions": Does parental choice improve education systems? Is there a future for teacher unions? What is the right answer to the standardized testing question? Can schools prepare children for the 21st-century workplace? Will technology save schools? Can anyone be a teacher? Should higher education be for the public good? What knowledge and skills should an educator have? Each educational change question sheds much-needed light on today's large-scale education policies and related reforms around the world. The authors focus on what makes each question globally significant, what we know from international research, and what can be inferred from benchmark evidence. The final chapter offers a model for policymakers with implications for teaching, learning, and schooling overall. Book Features: An in-depth look at the most contentious areas of contemporary education reform. Concrete examples from across the globe. Commentary from key experts, authorities, and organizations. A consistent, accessible organization that will appeal to faculty and students. Lessons learned that illuminate a good way forward to improve the educational experience of all students.

This new book, from internationally renowned education scholar Pasi Sahlberg and his colleagues, focuses on some of the most controversial issues in contemporary education reform around the world. The authors devote a chapter to each of these "hard questions": Does parental choice improve education systems? Is there a future for teacher unions? What is the right answer to the standardized testing question? Can schools prepare children for the 21st-century workplace? Will technology save schools? Can anyone be a teacher? Should higher education be for the public good? What knowledge and skills should an educator have? Each educational change question sheds much-needed light on today's large-scale education policies and related reforms around the world. The authors focus on what makes each question globally significant, what we know from international research, and what can be inferred from benchmark evidence. The final chapter offers a model for policymakers with implications for teaching, learning, and schooling overall. Book Features: An in-depth look at the most contentious areas of contemporary education reform. Concrete examples from across the globe. Commentary from key experts, authorities, and organizations. A consistent, accessible organization that will appeal to faculty and students. Lessons learned that illuminate a good way forward to improve the educational experience of all students.

If we teach in the way that human brains learn, both students and their teachers will thrive! This book aligns evidence from the learning sciences on how and what students need to learn with classroom practice (pre-K–12). It demonstrates, with hands-on examples, how a change in educational mindset (rather than in curriculum) can improve student outcomes on both standardized tests and a breadth of 21st-century skills skills. Written collectively by classroom teachers, administrators, parents, and learning scientists, this book shows readers how to co-construct and reimagine an optimal educational system. Making Schools Work offers three case studies of schools, including a statewide system, that are all realizing a 6 Cs approach to learning focused on collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence. The text documents the ever-evolving implementation process, as well as outcomes and the ongoing work of stakeholders. Readers can use this resource to create an education for all children that is culturally responsive, inclusive, effective, and fun.Book Features: Helps educators teach in the way that human minds learn. Jointly written in accessible language by teachers, administrators, parents, and learning scientists. Offers hands-on ways to reimagine classrooms without investing in new curricula. Puts teachers in the driver's seat, reminding them of why they teach. Provides culturally responsive, inclusive, effective, and fun strategies. Offers children the possibility of learning the skills they will need for 21st-century skills success.

The first two editions of Finnish Lessons described how a small Nordic nation built a school system that provided access to a world-class education for all of its young people. Now available in 30 languages, this Grawemeyer Award–winning book continues to influence education policies and school practices around the globe. In this Third Edition, Pasi Sahlberg updates the story of how Finland sustains its exemplary educational performance, including how it responds to turbulent changes at home and throughout the world. Finnish Lessons 3.0 includes important new material about: teachers and teacher education teaching children with special needs the role of play in high-quality education Finland's responses to growing inequality, slipping international test scores, and the global pandemic In the midst of national education reforms and global changes driven by public health crises and economic turbulence, Finnish Lessons 3.0 encourages teachers, students, and policymakers to think big and bold when they look for new solutions to improving their schools and entire education systems. This edition provides an even deeper dive into the present world of education in Finland in light of the most recent education statistics and international data, including PISA 2018, TIMSS 2016, and TALIS 2018.