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.

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.

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.

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.

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.