What are Finnish schools doing right and what are we doing wrong in the US?

I read this article yesterday regarding the Finnish School System. It made several interesting observations.

My thought is that a major reason they are successful is because, as the article notes: ”.....every teacher earn a fifth-year master’s degree in theory and practice at one of eight state universities—at state expense. From then on, teachers were effectively granted equal status with doctors and lawyers. Applicants began flooding teaching programs, not because the salaries were so high but because autonomy and respect made the job attractive. ” (italics mine)
From what you read hear and what you know of the US school system what do you think makes the difference?