The US Education System

The US Education System

group onechristine, liyan, marcus, nicole

group onechristine, liyan, marcus, nicole

Education Systems:Singapore

versusUnited States of America

Education Systems:Singapore

versusUnited States of America

The US SystemThe US System

Elementary: Kindergarten to 5th grade 

Middle/Junior High: 6th to 8th grade

Senior High: 9th to 12th grade9th: Freshmen10th: Sophomores11th: Juniors12th: Seniors

Curriculum: Elementary School

Curriculum: Elementary School

Local school district gives teachers brief overviews of things they’re expected to teach

One book per subject per student

Students usually learn:Mathematics - arithmetic, sometimes rudimentary algebraEnglish proficiency (eg. basic grammar, spelling, vocabulary)Fundamentals of other subjects

Learning standards identified by individual States

Curriculum:High SchoolCurriculum:High School

Minimum number of mandatory subjects, optional additional subjects ("electives") to fill out their required hours of learning

Mandatory "health" course, but options often provided to "test out" or complete independent study to meet it

Foreign language and art education also mandatory in some schools

Curriculum:High SchoolCurriculum:High School

Common minimum courses of study in mandatory subjects:• Science (3 years; Biology, Chemistry and Physics)• Mathematics (4 years; incl. Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and even Calculus)• English (4 years; incl. Literature, Humanities, Composition, and Oral Languages)• Social Sciences (3 years; incl. various History, Government/Economics courses)• Physical Education (at least 2 years)

Grading SystemGrading System

A B C DF, E, I, N or

U

+ - + - + - + -

97 - 100

93 - 96

90 - 92

87 - 89

83 - 86

80 - 82

77 - 79

73 - 76

72 - 70

67 - 69

63 - 66

60 - 62

Below 60%

Major ExaminationsMajor Examinations

Exams are mostly set by schools

The most common set of tests that the majority of students sit for is SATs, before entering college

Extra-Curricular Activities

Extra-Curricular Activities

High priority given to sports, clubs and activities by the community, parents, schools and students themselves

Organizations that develop rules for competition, usually forced to implement time limits on hours practiced as a prerequisite for participation

HomeschoolingHomeschooling

Home schooling is another form of education. Many select moral or religious reasons for homeschooling their children.

The second main category is "unschooling," those who prefer a non-standard approach to education.

TeachersTeachersTraining for Elementary school teachers:Emphases onHuman cognitive & psychological developmentPrinciples of curriculum development & instruction

Typical qualifications: Bachelors or Masters Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Provision of Education

Provision of Education

Child education is compulsory

Mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding from three levels: federal, state, and local

Free education in public school

Private education

ScholarshipsScholarshipsScholarships are common, usually for exceptional sporting or academic achievements

Certain scholarships are offered to students that are disable or from minority groups

Often funded by schools, and private organisations and companies

Weaknesses of theUS System

Weaknesses of theUS System

No standardized testing

Differing educational emphasis as curriculum varies from state to state

Average scores of US students below average as compared to other develop countries

Lack of discipline, violence and drug use

High drop out rates

Strengths of theUS System

Strengths of theUS System

Emphasis on creativity

Encourages the individual

Allows intellectual explorationlong period of time before making career choicemajor subject normally not chosen in first year of college

Liberal arts form of study mixes together students of different interests

Holistic and balanced education (extra curricular activities)

Flexibility of the system

Higher EducationHigher Education

Private Universities

Public Universities

Liberal Arts Colleges

Community Colleges

Private UniversitiesPrivate UniversitiesMajority of US universities and colleges are private

Operated as educational and research non-profit organisations

Many prestigious US universities are private

Some private universities are closely affiliated with religious organizations (eg. the University of Notre Dame) or even directly operated by religious organizations (eg. Brigham Young University)

Ivy LeagueIvy League

Athletic conference consisting of 8 private institutions of higher education• Brown University• Columbia University• Cornell University• Dartmouth College• Harvard University• University of Pennsylvania• Princeton University• Yale University

Term has connotations of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, and social elitism

Public UniversitiesPublic Universities

Largely state-founded and operated institutions

Every state has at least 1 public university

Highly ranked public universities include:• University of California, Berkley• University of California, Los Angeles• University of California, San Diego• University of Michigan• University of Virginia• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public IviesPublic IviesOriginal Ivies:• College of William and Mary• Miami University• University of California• University of Michigan• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill• University of Texas at Austin• University of Vermont• University of Virginia

Expanded to include institutions like:• Pennsylvania State University• University of California, Berkley• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)• University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)• University of Florida

Liberal Arts CollegesLiberal Arts CollegesA college or university curriculum aimed at imparting general knowledge and developing general intellectual capacities, in contrast to a professional, vocational, or technical curriculum

Generally, a full-time, four-year course of study at a liberal arts college leads students to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree

Mostly privately funded institutions

Encourage a high level of student-teacher interaction

Known for being residential and for having smaller enrollment, class size, and teacher-student ratios than universities

Some colleges offer experimental curricula

Community CollegesCommunity CollegesPrimarily two-year public institutions providing higher education and lower-level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees

After graduating from a community college, some students transfer to a four-year liberal arts college or university for two to three years to complete a bachelor's degree

Primarily attract and accept students from the local community, and are often supported by local tax revenue

Community CollegesCommunity CollegesFive facets of education:

Transfer education: two-year student that will then transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a BS/BA degree

Career education: two-year student that will graduate with an Associate Degree and directly enter the workforce

Developmental: remedial education for high school graduates who are not academically ready to enroll in college-level courses

Continuing: Non-Credit courses offered to the community for personal development and interest

Industry training: contracted training and education where a local company pays the college to provide specific training or courses for their employees