Socialism for the rich , rugged individualism for the poor . Same as it ever was . <| sep |> It is set up by both . There are the grades that are set up by age but classes are also broken up by skill . Highly skilled pupils can skip grades or classes going to the level after , or they can take advanced placement courses which will teach things to a more indepthfaster rate and will even give college university for some non US countries credit at higher levels . Students who have learning disabilities will receive special tutoring periods and if severe enough special courses that teach slower or in a different manner . Those with severe disabilities will have a completely unique curriculum tailored to making them function in society and be as self sufficient as possible . But we break things up by age because we are also teaching social skills and that is best done with peers . Putting people in groups that are much older or much younger than they are stunts social development severely . As for why there is an emphasis on school work , that is how you learn and prove what you have learned . Just listening to lectures is not good for learning at all .