one more thought...

oops.  forgot one of the things that was actually music to my ears.  the teachers are discouraged for giving out trinkity gifts or candy for learning success.  they are encouraged to build personal relationships with each of their students and let their individual successes really register between the student and teacher.  the thought is that when children learn that if they do (a) they'll get (b), they won't be too inspired to complete a task if a reward isn't involved.

garbage dumps all over america are less full of oriental trading co. crap thanks to philosophies like this one.