Third Edition
Foreword by: Howard Gardner
Afterword by: Ken Robinson
Publication Date: January 8, 2021
Pages: 312
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:
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.
Pasi Sahlberg is a professor of education policy at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. His books include Hard Questions on Global Educational Change: Policies, Practices, and the Future of Education. He received the 2021 Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) Hedley Beare Award for Educational Writing and the 2021 ACEL Dr. Paul Brock Memorial Medal. Visit Pasi’s website at www.pasisahlberg.com
International Praise for Previous Editions of Finnish Lessons!
“Finland’s approach to education reform shows we must address student inequality before we can expect student excellence.” —The 2013 Grawemeyer Award Committee
"For both educators and non-educators alike, Finnish Lessons 2.0 poses provocative ideas for reflection when contemplating the necessary inputs that contribute to educational success."
—Teachers College Record
"The story of Finnish educational success as told by Sahlberg in the slim volume Finnish Lessons is remarkable…this is an important book and educators need to read it."
—Educational Researcher
" Finnish Lessons 2.0 is compelling and well-written. It will be of particular interest to those involved in developing education policy, although the book is also highly accessible and should be recommended reading for principals, teachers and parents—even in Finland."
—Limina: A Journal of Historical and Cultural Studies
"Sahlberg’s work is enlightening in that it espouses an education system that is different from many other systems in advanced countries across the world and provides solid background on the historical context that allowed Finland’s education system to transform into a powerhouse."
—Education Review
"If you are interested in how to help your students be better citizens and part of a dynamic society, please read Finnish lessons 2.0."
—British Journal of Educational Technology
"What I find encouraging in Sahlberg’s book is his recurring note that no matter how dismal a country’s system may seem, there is hope and room for reform."
—Philippine Daily Inquirer
"Sahlberg’s book contains important lessons for a broad range of academics, educators, politicians, and the public."
—Science
"This book will give hope, vision, and strategies to anyone who is sincere in bringing a great education to every child. Pick it up and read it."
—Education Week's BookMarks
“With Version 3.0 of Finnish Lessons, Pasi Sahlberg has made yet another invaluable contribution to creating education policies based on teacher professionalism, trust, respect, equality, and student engagement. The Finnish example offers a real alternative to the punitive education accountability systems found in far too many parts of the world. Every policymaker, parent, and teacher should read this book.”
—Tony Wagner, senior research fellow, Learning Policy Institute
Contents (Tentative)
Foreword Howard Gardner
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Where There’s a Will There’s a Way
Northern Exposure
Finland as an Inspiration
Learning From Others
The Plan of This Book
1. The Finnish Dream: A Good School for All
Postwar Finland
Universal Basic Education
The New School Is Born
Expanding Upper-Secondary Education
Improving Educational Attainment
Four Phases of Educational Change
The Finnish Education System in 2020
The Finnish Dream Challenged
2. The Finnish Paradox: Less Is More
From Periphery to Limelight
Educational Attainment
Equity of Outcomes
Student Learning
Cost of Education
Finnish Paradoxes of Education
The Perils of PISA
3. The Finnish Advantage: The Teachers
The Culture of Teaching
Becoming a Teacher
Research-Based Teacher Education
Teachers as Researchers
Professional Development
Teachers Are Leaders
School Leaders Are Teachers
Good Teachers, Great Schools
What If Finland’s Great Teachers Taught in Your Schools?
4. The Finnish Way: Competitive Welfare State
The Power of Globalization
The Global Educational Reform Movement
An Innovation Economy
Welfare, Equality, and Competitiveness
Foreign Innovation, Finnish Implementation
Myths About The Finnish School
5. Is the Future Finnish?
Success by Being Different
Successful Educational Reform
The Transfer of Change Knowledge
Stress Test for Finnish Schools
The Future of Finnish Education
Postscript Sir Ken Robinson
Notes
References
Index
About the Author
Professors: Request an Exam Copy
Print copies available for US orders only. For orders outside the US, see our international distributors.