Dumbing down: the crisis of quality and equity in a once-great school system and - how to reverse the trend

This open access book examines the challenges and issues caused by a move to a marketized education system in Sweden. Observing the introduction of the school voucher system and a postmodern social constructivist view of knowledge, the move away from objective knowledge is identified as the core reason for Sweden’s current education crisis. The impact of declining education standards on the labor market is also discussed. This book highlights the issues seen in Sweden and suggests policies that can improve education in the rest of the Western world as well. It will be relevant to students and researchers interested in education and labor economics. .

1. Introduction: The Rise and Puzzling Fall of the Swedish Educational System -- 2. The Silver Age of Swedish Education -- 3. Educational Performance in Swedish Schools—What Are the Facts? -- 4. The Malaise in the School System -- 5. Two Views of Knowledge and Teaching -- 6. The Rise of “Post-Truth” Schooling -- 7. The Deinstitutionalization and Fragmentation of the Swedish School System -- 8. A Perfect Storm -- 9. The Way Forward for Sweden and Other Western Countries.