Finnish education policy and the success of implementation of this policy in Finland are discussed through the analysis of national education policy documents and PISA 2006 School Questionnaire and PISA Scientific Literacy Assessment data. Knowledge based society, educational equality, and devolution of decision power at the local level, and teacher education are named as important educational policy issues behind students’ high performance in PISA 2006 science. The student level analysis revealed that positive student level predictors for PISA science performance were science-related self-efficacy and self-concept, interest in physics and chemistry, and a view of the usefulness of science studies in preparing students for future jobs in science. These predictors are discussed in the framework of national education policy.