The Finnish Students Finish First

As both a product and a producer of the American education system, I feel more than competent to hold forth on what I consider to be major stumbling blocks in our efforts to not be embarrassed by the rest of the world's educational systems. You've heard all the theories so I will not venture in that direction, but the facts are inescapable: we are totally unlike any other system in the world, and we are falling further and further behind. Perhaps it is our goal to create equality for all or perhaps we're simply mired in the politics of power...who knows? What we do know is that Finland, more than any other country, is kicking out collective butts. Let's see if there is any answer to be found in the following information, gleaned from the BBC:
As recently as 2006, Finland students ranked first in the world on standardized math and science scores. More recently, they have fallen to second in math behind the South Korean students. This despite the fact that Finish students spend LESS time in the classroom than any other country's students in the industrial world! Huh?
Students in Finland begin organized school at age 7. By that time, our students have been through baby Einstein courses, art courses and four years of pre-pre and pre-school. Finns believe a child learns best by playing, and that by age 7, the student really wants to go to school!
In Finland, all students share the same classroom, even those who have difficulty learning. Those students are provided with an extra teacher in the classroom to help them, but they do not go to "special" classrooms: they stay with their classmates.
Students in Finland often stay with the same teacher for as many as 5 years, and there is no break for middle school, junior high, or secondary school: all students share the same building so there is no sense of being uprooted at 13.
Finland encourages a culture of reading at home with parents and children. Parents and teachers meet frequently, and reading is of paramount importance.
Teaching in Finland is seen as a prestigious career, and teachers are highly-respected.
An interesting facet that I had not considered is that Finland has a very low rate of immigration, meaning that almost all students speak the same language which facilitates learning at an even pace.
Well, there you have it: Finland's education system in a nutshell. If you want to believe in test scores, that's the place to move.