<P> In relation to mathematics, the second national language and foreign languages, a student can choose to study a curriculum from different levels of difficulty . Students choose their relevant levels at the beginning of school, when selecting appropriate courses, and at the end of school, when registering for the matriculation exam in order to receive the relevant exam paper . These two choices are not directly linked, but students generally keep the level the same for the matriculation exam . One common exception to this rule of thumb occurs when a student has barely completed a higher level course and is unsure of their performance in the matriculation exam . In those cases, a student may elect to take an easier exam . </P> <P> In mathematics, the advanced level is in practice a prerequisite for the more competitive university science programs, such as those of the universities of technology, other university mathematical science programs, and medicine . In mathematics, 20% of the matriculation examinees take the advanced level . The nationwide matriculation exam together with entirely percentile - based grading provides an easy way to objectively classify each student based on their mathematical ability, regardless of the year when the exam was taken . For example, assuming that the best mathematical students are selected first to the upper academic school and then to the advanced mathematics curriculum, the students achieving laudatur would comprise the mathematically best 0.4% of the age group, comparable to 800 SAT mathematics section . The percentile equality does not, however, mean that the absolute level of a laudatur student in the advanced mathematics in Finland is equal to that of an 800 SAT student in the USA, due to differences in the mean quality of the population . </P> <P> Both primary and secondary teachers must have a master's degree to qualify . Teaching is a respected profession and entrance to university programs is highly competitive . A prospective teacher must have very good grades and must combat fierce opposition in order to become a teacher . Only about 10% of applicants to certain programs are successful . The respect accorded to the profession and salaries higher than the OECD average lead to higher performance levels and larger numbers applying for the positions, and this is reflected in the quality of teachers in Finland . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (July 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who is considered by many to be the father of special education