The American
School-System
Education
has always been an important matter in the USA
- So there were already many
foundations in the colonial era(i.e.Harvard College, which was established
in 1636)
- In the early 1800s most schools
were expensive private schools,but just 60 years later
- In 1860 the first free public
elementary schools were founded
The
original aims of these public schools were not only
- To provide a basic education,
but also
- To cause equality of
opportunity
- And to support the idea of
individual success, according to the words "working your way to the
top",without looking after the social background
The basic
structure of the school system is that the
- Education is a task of each
state and school district( have great freedom, for example in selecting
their own textbooks , devise their own curriculums, set their own
graduation requirements)
- So a system of "accrediation"
is necessary, each school has to achieve a fair standard of good
education, which is judged by a regional accrediting association. An
inspector checks the required standards, he can grant accreditation or
refuse it.A school with a poor standard has the chance to improve during a
short time.
The system
is commonly organised according to the
- 6-3-3 plan: six years of
elementary school
three years at each secondary
school: 3 years of junior high school from
grade 7 to 9
3 years of senior high
school from
grade 10 to 12
- sometimes the older 8-4 plan is
still in operation ( means 8 years of
elementary school and 4 years of secondary school)
- there are two other rare plans:
6-6 plan and 4-4-4 plan, they arent operated very often
Pupils
start their school career in the Elementary school,which
- goes usually from the 1st-
6th grade (from six years to eleven years)
- is corresponding to our
"Grundschule" and the british "primary school"
- main thing is the learning of
basic skills
with the
age of 12 pupils go to secondary school
/ high school (corresponding to the german "Gesamtschule")
- goes from 7th -12th
(12-17 years)
- most pupils follow a "core
curriculum"( includes English, science, maths, social studies and physical
education)
- the student can also choose
between different elective courses( marching band, fitness for live ,
video production.)
- pupils also take positiv
extracurricular activities: there is a very particular importance of
competitive sports(teaching the students the "winning spirit")
the
elective system should
- help children to find and
develop their strengths and talents( schools want to prepare young people
for the world and want to provide the education)
- there is a so called Guidance
counselor in each school.He supports students in planning their school
career and helps to find a suitable employment
Grades and
Exames: 3 of 4 pupils finish school with diploma
- high school diploma consists of
results from each course based on:
the
performance in tests all over the year or in end-of-the-year examinations
written
and oral assignment
teachers
assessment
results graded from A(=excellent) to F(=failing)
The high
school diplomas are presented during a festive graduation ceremony,known as the
"Commencement-Day".
After
graduation over 50per cent go on to higher education
- and can choose between 3300
colleges and universities in the usa
- there are public institutions:
relatively low tution fees, because they are state supported
- and private institutions:
higher fees but most prestigious ones( i.e.
Harvard,Yale,Princeton,Stanford, the costs for tution fees and living
expenses are about 10.000$ a year)
- because of the high costs of a
college education many students have secured a place at a universitie in
their own state, so they can continue living at home.
For students with limited founds finance help is available: with a good
academic record they have the chance to a schoolarship.
Many of them have part-time jobs and work during the summer holidays to
finance their education.
The four
basic types of higher education
- Technical Training School
(lasts two years,vocational education for occupational fields like
accountant or journalism)
- Community College(dual role:
providing two years of semi-professional and technical training, preparing
for a four-year degree-granting insitution or
After two years you can get the "association of arts"(A.A.) or the
"association of sience"(A.S.) degree)
- Liberal arts college: offer
four year degree programms at undergraduate level, but no courses of
postgraduate study
- Universities: undergraduate and
postgraduate courses or offer courses for specialising in academic
disciplines or professional training(Law, Medicine, Engineering) leading
to a Master`s degree.
College
admission
- Applicants are considered on
the basis of
their
academic record at high school
their
score in s college admission test(SAT or ACT)
it
also depends on recommendations from teachers(letters)
personal
essays and interviews
College
life
- Quaterly system:deviding the
academic year in three terms and the 4th quarter as an optional
summer term
- In the first two years you get
"lower division"( follow a range of basic courses), this are undergraduate
students named Freshman and Sophomore
- The next two years you are
"upper division" (concentrating on certain courses in which you want to
specialize),graduate students named Juniors and Seniors
- Students earn credits(=points):
must achieve enough credits and pass an examination, then they are awarded
their degrees
- Campus life: many
extracurricular activities( football, basketball, track events.)and
student clubs
