Our current school system has not proven to be a successful system. Our teachers are underpaid and our students are overworked. Countries such as Finland do not have homework nor standardized tests, and tests are not mandatory for a teacher to assign, and teachers are required of more credentials, along with being given the same status as a doctor or lawyer. Many universities are free, and give students many opportunities to have a richer education.
Perhaps if our school system were based on the actual knowledge of a student rather than essays and test scores, our country would compete higher on an intellectual scale.
Some Information on schools in Finland can be found here: http://www.businessinsider.com/finland-education-school-2011-12?op=1