Idaho/US | Finland | | | Global Educational Reform Movement (GERM), whereby the model of education is done through teaching common core standardized curriculum, test based accountability, and market based management and data and control | alternative policies that encourages broad and creative learning, personalization of topic and style of learning, professional responsibility that recognizes and holds teachers in the highest regard, educational leadership, collaboration and trust | 1:24+ Class/teacher | 1:9 Class/teacher | CHIPS/State medicaid | GDP >3% for childrens services | teacher selection self directed and graduate requisite of bachelors degree | rigorous selection process, masters requirement, esteemed profession | 10-12 standard tests | 1 standardized test at Senior year | Students move to different teachers throughout the day and each year | Teachers stick to same group of students for 5 years | Top down policy for education, buy in difficult due to politics and lack of buy in | Policy driven by all stakeholders, students and teachers included |

First New York: Bloomberg did to help turn around the New York School System:
Small Schools - New York wanted to promote smaller schools. Smaller schools emphasized academic rigor; strong, sustained relationships between students and faculty; and community partnerships that offer relevant learning opportunities outside the classroom. New York was able to pay for this with a larger grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. Given the current funding challenges in Idaho and the conservative nature of the state this may be a tough sell at least in the short-term.
Choice - New York school system decided to make all of their schools open to anyone that wanted to go but you have to apply. Each student lists up to 12 schools that they want to attend in the order of priority.