Lessons from Estonia’s Education Success Story

This book explores how Estonia, despite high levels of poverty, has transformed its education system to become Europe’s top performer on PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment).

The engaging narrative uncovers reforms, mistakes and lessons learnt that have been harnessed to create a high-performing, high-equity education system, which includes social and education policies fostering equity, inclusion, learner autonomy, as well as schoolteacher and principal professionalism, autonomy and responsibility. It unearths how easy access to a wide range of data such as perceptions of well-being, autonomy and connectedness, in addition to examination results, builds internal and external accountability, and contributes to collective stakeholder efficacy.

Grounded in research from Estonia and beyond, this is an ideal read for educators, administrators, academics, university students, change agents and parents interested in school system improvement. As equity, equality and inclusion are core drivers of the Estonian education system, this book would also be of interest to those working in social justice, inclusion and diversity.

Peeter Mehisto is Honorary Research Associate at University College London Institute of Education, UK. He has won a HRH The Duke of Edinburgh ESU book award and has also been nominated for the Yidan Prize.

Maie Kitsing is the former Head of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research’s Supervisions Division and of the General Education Department. She is currently an adviser to the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science’s External Evaluation Department.

This book explores how Estonia, despite high levels of poverty, has transformed its education system to become Europe's top performer on PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment). The engaging narrative uncovers reforms, mistakes and lessons learnt that have been harnessed to create a high-performing, high-equity education system, which includes social and education policies fostering equity, inclusion, learner autonomy, as well as schoolteacher and principal professionalism, autonomy and responsibility. It unearths how easy access to a wide range of data such as perceptions of well-being, autonomy and connectedness, in addition to examination results, builds internal and external accountability, and contributes to collective stakeholder efficacy. Grounded in research from Estonia and beyond, this is an ideal read for educators, administrators, academics, university students, change agents and parents interested in school system improvement. As equity, equality and inclusion are core drivers of the Estonian education system, this book would also be of interest to those working in social justice, inclusion and diversity.

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