"'Global trends in education' is a topic that saturates both popular media and professional writings about contemporary schooling, no doubt fueled in large part by seemingly irresistible comparisons of student achievement across nations. Using a unique database from seven Western countries, the authors demonstrate how the shape and consequences of similar reform ideas are significantly influenced by local political cultures, thus providing a compelling argument for modest expectations in response to grand visions. This book is a must-read, especially for those attempting to use policy for improving educational practice." - Kenneth Leithwood, professor emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto, Canada
"This excellent book reminds us that national education systems have an 'institutional memory,' a local color and a history that cannot be ignored by policymakers and bureaucrats. At the same time it shows that today's systems are affected by global trends in an unprecedented way. Interesting to see how globalization and the 'great narrative' of NPM reconfigures every system in its own unique way. The research team did an excellent job!" - Frans de Vijlder, professor of Governance and Innovation Dynamics in the Social Sectors, HAN University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands