This important book takes a fresh look at educational change - a concept which is in frequent use but rarely examined for the variety of meanings it conveys. It brings together the ideas of major educational change theorists from three continents, and invites the reader to explore the idea of educational change at a number of levels and from a variety of perspectives. There is much talk about the pace of social change in, and the growing complexity of, industrial societies. In this book a number of well-known international researchers attempt to analyse the meaning of contemporary social change for education. Particular emphasis is given to the implications for: * the personal and social development of students * schools as organizations * the school curriculum * the teaching profession * educational policy formation * education research

This important book takes a fresh look at educational change - a concept which is in frequent use but rarely examined for the variety of meanings it conveys. It brings together the ideas of major educational change theorists from three continents, and invites the reader to explore the idea of educational change at a number of levels and from a variety of perspectives.

Educational Change: From Traditional Education to Learning Communities outlines the transition of curriculum and instruction as well as classroom discipline historically. Various discipline approaches are described that vary in their applications in terms of the degree of teacher control and student self-direction. Various issues are identified which impact decorum in the schools, in particular the No Child Left Behind Act and associated standardized testing. The need for change in the schools is detailed along with the appropriateness of moving from traditional classroom instruction to democratic discipline as applied in learning communities. The nature of classroom discipline is described in connection with specific components of learning communities. When learning communities are employed in school, the leadership structures needs to be changed. The nature of relationships between school learning communities and communities outside the school are also described. This book explains how the learning community approach to education can be successfully implemented with the modifications that will be required of both teachers and students in making associated changes.

“It is now time to break down the ideology of exceptionalism in the United States and other Anglo-American nations if we are to develop reforms that will truly inspire our teachers to improve learning for all our students—especially those who struggle the most. In that essential quest, Pasi Sahlberg is undoubtedly one of the very best teachers of all.” —From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves, Lynch School of Education, Boston College Finnish Lessons is a first-hand, comprehensive account of how Finland built a world-class education system during the past three decades. The author traces the evolution of education policies in Finland and highlights how they differ from the United States and other industrialized countries. He shows how rather than relying on competition, choice, and external testing of students, education reforms in Finland focus on professionalizing teachers’ work, developing instructional leadership in schools, and enhancing trust in teachers and schools. This book details the complexity of educational change and encourages educators and policymakers to develop effective solutions for their own districts and schools.

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 educationteaching children with special needsthe role of play in high-quality educationFinland’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. “Finland’s approach to education reform shows we must address student inequality before we can expect student excellence.” —The 2013 Grawemeyer Award Committee “The story of Finnish educational success as told in Finnish Lessons is remarkable . . . this is an important book and educators need to read it.” —Educational Researcher “Provides solid background on the historical context that allowed Finland’s education system to transform into a powerhouse.” —Education Review

Guide for becoming a leader in making changes in the educational field.

“You won’t find a better book on whole-system change that covers so much ground in such an accessible form than Leading Educational Change!” —From the Foreword by Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE, University of Toronto “This book tackles critical issues and conundrums about how to create productive educational systems by a group of exceptionally knowledgeable thought leaders from the U.S. and around the world. Both policymakers and practitioners will benefit from these valuable insights.” —Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education at Stanford University, author of The Flat World and Education “A well-edited and fascinating anthology with a wide variety of prescriptions, from the powerful to the improbable.” —Sir Michael Barber, Chief Education Advisor, Pearson “This book provides exactly what we need at this moment in the education enterprise: clear-eyed and far-reaching analyses from our brightest minds on the problems and potential solutions to delivering better educators and education amid a vastly changing, globally competitive, and interconnected 21st century.” —Gregory A. Patterson, Managing Editor, Phi Delta Kappan Magazine This collection features original essays from international superstars in the field of educational change. Each “think piece” draws on the latest knowledge from research, policy, and practice to provide important insights for creating systemic, meaningful reform. The authors directly address contemporary challenges, misconceptions, and failed strategies, while also offering solutions, ideas, and guiding questions for examination. Unique in its breadth of ideas and diversity of voices, Leading Educational Change is must-reading for education decision makers on all levels, frontline practitioners, and everyone involved with children and adolescent learning. Together with the online companion Instructor’s Guide, this is also a perfect text for educational leadership and policy courses. Contributors: Mel Ainscow, Stephen E. Anderson, Rukmini Banerji, Gabriel Cámara, Maria Helena Guimarães de Castro, Madhav Chavan, Amanda Datnow, Sherry L. Deckman, Lorna Earl, Patrick Griffin, Silvina Gvirtz, Andy Hargreaves, Alma Harris, Jonathan D. Jansen, Elena Lenskaya, Ann Lieberman, Helen Janc Malone, Barry McGaw, Pak Tee Ng, Pasi Sahlberg, Andreas Schleicher, Dennis Shirley, James P. Spillane, Louise Stoll, Esteban Torre, Yong Zhao Helen Janc Malone, Ed.D., is an educational researcher dedicated to connecting research, policy, and practice in support of student learning and positive development. Her work centers on educational change, whole-system reform, expanded learning, and K–16 pathways.

The New Imperatives of Educational Change is a clarion call to move beyond the standardized testing and marketplace competition that have become pervasive in school systems to focus instead on creating the conditions that will encourage all students to become critical and independent thinkers. Dennis Shirley presents five new imperatives to guide educators and policymakers towards a re-thinking of what it means to teach effectively and to learn in depth. The evidentiary imperative requires educators to attain a better grasp of what data actually reveal about international trends in student learning. The interpretive imperative encourages mindful deliberation before acting on evidence in order to promote the integrity of a school community. The professional imperative describes new international research findings on promising pedagogies and curricula that propel learning in new directions. The global imperative argues that we all must look beyond our national boundaries to improve the flourishing of all young people, wherever they may be found. Finally, the existential imperative reminds us that students look to their teachers as role models who can dignify learning with meaning and embellish life with joy. Visionary in its scope and practical in its details, The New Imperatives of Educational Change is an indispensable road map for all teachers, principals, and system leaders.

First published in 1982, this work revolutionized the theory and practice of education reform. Now 25 years later, the fourth edition of Fullans groundbreaking book continues to be the definitive compendium to all aspects of the management of educational change--a powerful resource for everyone involved in school reform.