Finnish Lessons 2.0: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland?

Useful Book.Before the year 2000, there were no international data on education to know how education systems are performing like what is available now in the 21st century: PISA test, TIMSS, and PIRLS. The main secret of the Finland education system is that in the 20th century the Finns had undertook some education policies for the purpose of accomplishing a high quality of learning and widespread equity in learning opportunities and outcomes at the same time. Finnish started their reform policies by developing the early childhood education.In fact, Finland undertook different approaches to reform the education system widespread the country, Finnish students do not take standardized tests or data in order to compare teachers or schools to each other; however, it created an inspiring and trustful environment in which teachers work. All teachers are required to have higher academic degrees that guarantee both high-level pedagogical skills and subject knowledge in order to do their jobs well. Moreover, teachers in Finland work as autonomous professionals and play a key role in curriculum planning and assessing student learning attracts some of the most able and talented young Finns into teaching careers year after year. In actuality, teachers, students and parents are all involved in assessing schools, and how well it performs.Educational leadership is totally different in Finland as principals, district education leaders and superintendents are, without exceptions, former teachers. Leadership is based upon professionalism.Moreover, Finnish people trust public schools rather than any other educational institutions. Education policies and reforms are framed by the principles of teaching and learning rather than the market-based reforms.In fact, the reform policies in Finland are different worldwide which focused more on equity and accordingly quality improved. And therefore we can mention that what does not work in education systems worldwide are: school competition, standardization, test-based accountability, de-professionalism, and privatization.

I am not exaggerating when I say that if the policies and ideas so beautifully explained in Pasi Sahlberg's meticulous yet eminently readable book were enacted on this side of the Atlantic, then America could truly become the world-leading nation it once was.This book documents how resource-impoverished Finland, saddled with mediocre schooling, transformed itself into an educational powerhouse in the teeth of a recession - and did so while spending the same per pupil as the average in the USA. Even better, the system is flexible, student and teacher-focused and, when compared to the US has achieved far better results for low-income and immigrant students, those with special needs, and students of color. Ironically, many of the ideas that Finns adopted were originally developed (and then ignored) in America.The ongoing intensification of global competition and automation mean that our future may only be secure if we create first-class education for ALL our people. This book should be required reading not just for educators but for politicians, activists, social scientists, and anyone who values the future prospects of our children

The information in a book was new for me, so I read the book with interest. But, probably, because of working for a long time in pedagogics, author lacks the ability to inspire interest for what he's telling. At some moments I felt that book became more and more repetitious. I wish it ended after the the first chapter, where the idea of the author is already clear.

The Finnish Way has been effective because they recognized where their system was INEFFECTIVE, and pivoted. Education is held in high regard at a cultural level, and the teachers are able to execute the art and science of teaching from a position of trust and autonomy afforded by all stakeholders.As of late, the Finnish model is indicating a slide away from their successful data points they once boasted. The world is watching and waiting to see if they will adjust once again, leaving a pattern for us to learn from and follow.

American education system has very serious problems. Under the effect of various educational ideologies, American education is still suffering from equity, efficiency etc. If you want to see how other nations are getting better in education , you should read this book!

A must read for any educator/ education leader/ education policy maker. A great overview of the History of Finnish Education, implications for best practice in education reform/transformation.

Great overview of the Finnish education system, giving an understanding of how the system was developed based on the needs and culture of Finland back in the 50"s. The book through its content shows why the Finnish education is so strong and professional, but also why it's not possible to copy and paste this approach to other countries.

Wonderful book. It's a wake up call as to what is wrong with our educational system. We have the innovators to better our system, but big politics and money making test creators would never allow changes.