Japan has been able to create a more equitable learning environment for children across economic backgrounds despite Japan spending less money on schools than the OECD average. How the Japanese national and local governments allocate resources has a positive net effect on education. A very interesting article on this can be found HERE. The model is one that other countries should consider looking at. Though, admittedly, the article does gloss over somewhat the significant positive effect of Japanese teachers working long (often unpaid) overtime hours for the sake of their students - and also of their careers.