More success factors for a high-quality educational system

Written from an US-point of view, four more factors, influencing the quality of teaching: 

1. Support new teachers (In Norway new teachers are coached 20% of their time)

2. Time spend outside the classroom for mandate mentoring, preparing, meetings with parents etc.

3. Participation in decision-making, curricula as a broad framework

4. Lifelong learning and further qualification, with a clear incentive and stimulus to take courses.  

See also the report on "Professional Learning in the learning profession" 

Success factor: qualification and motivation of teachers

Identifying success factors when curricula are similiar?

Singapure and West Virginia share basic  curricula, but the educational outcomes differ. Singapure is highly successful.  Why this difference?

1. Only the top third of secondary-school graduates in Singapore can apply for teacher training.

2. Each year, teachers take an additional 100 hours of paid professional development

3. Profession is paid as well as science and engineering careers.