Finland has the most successful schools in the world. So successful that Last year more than 100 foreign delegations and governments visited Helsinki, hoping to learn the secret of their schools' success. The Finish approach is based on the idea that everyone has something to contribute and "those who struggle in certain subjects should not be left behind." Children who are not so good in some subjects still stay in the same classroom as those with better skills. This can only be done if the emphasis is on cooperation not competition. It makes sense to me as all of us are good at something and good teaching should help develop what they are good at.
One could say this is un-American but it is more accurate to say that it is anti-capitalist. Finish children don't start main school until they are seven as the general view is that before this age they are playing and we learn, just like our little pooch, through play. After that, the view is that they're keen to learn, and with all this, they spend fewer hours in the classroom than any other children in the developed world.
Teaching is a valued and respected profession and the kids learn in a relaxed atmosphere apparently; primary and secondary education is combined which supporters say is important as pupils do not suffer major disruptions int heir education and teachers can spend time with the same children for years.
There are differences being that Finland is a smaller country with few immigrants meaning teachers do not have to deal with four or five languages in a class. But still, the main point is that the atmosphere is one of cooperation and collective learning rather individualism and competition.
You can read more about this and hear some interviews about it here.
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