1) Finland has consistently ranked highly in international tests of reading, math and science skills since 2000, often ranking first in reading and in the top five in math and science.
2) What makes Finland's schools successful is a focus on high-quality teachers - only about 10% of teaching applicants are accepted to Finland's eight universities that train teachers. Teaching is seen as a prestigious profession.
3) In contrast, the U.S. system places too much emphasis on standardized test scores to evaluate teachers and schools, whereas Finland only gives one national test at the end of secondary school and otherwise trusts schools and teachers.