FINLAND – “A pipeline of highly qualified, well-respected teachers in Finland work hard to help all students reach a basic level of achievement by the end of 9th grade.” photo by Erin Richards Special education teacher Niina Halonen-Malliarakis helps student Aleksandr Mitrukov review for a math test at Vesala Comprehensive School, a middle school in Eastern Helsinki. Vesala serves a large population of low-income and immigrant students.