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Education in The United States

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Education in the United States is free and compulsory for 10 years, beginning at age 6 and culminating at age 16.  Educational programs are guided by standards set at both the national and state level, and implemented at the local level.  Schools are organized according to geographic location into school districts, which are headed by school superintendents, who in turn answer to a board of directors for that particular district.  Schools are led by an administration team that typically includes a principal and one or more vice principals—professionals who specialize in a given area within the school (curriculum, activities, discipline, etc)—as well as guidance counselors, teachers and teachers’ assistants.

School Term in the United States

For primary and secondary school students, an educational term in the United States is approximately 10 months in duration. Under the traditional model, school-age children begin their education in early September and break for the summer recess in late June.  In some areas of the country, however, school overcrowding has forced districts to adopt a year-round school format.  Under this format, students (and teachers) are assigned to a specific educational block within their school.  Each of these blocks attends school for approximately three months in succession, followed by a two week break.  In addition, all students receive a common winter break of approximately 2 weeks, and a spring break of one week.  This year-round system of education allows schools to reduce the on-campus student population by one-fourth.

Structure of the U.S. Education System

The education system in the United States follows a pattern that is very similar to that of other systems in the western world.  Early childhood education, or preschool, is followed by primary education (called elementary school in the United States), middle or junior high school, secondary school (called high school in the United States), and then postsecondary (tertiary) education. Postsecondary education includes non-degree programs that lead to certificates and diplomas plus a number of degree levels, including associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees. The U.S. system does not offer a second or higher doctorate, but does offer post-doctorate research programs. Adult and continuing education, plus special education, cut across all educational levels.

Early Childhood Education/Preschool

Early childhood education, or preschool, is provided throughout the United States.  Although this is an optional, non-obligatory stage of education, the majority of U.S. children now begin their educations prior to entering elementary school at age six, and most states now require enrollment in pre-school programs and provide such programs for the children in their state. There are also thousands of non-public preschools scattered throughout the United States, operated by churches and other private entities.  These programs generally require parents to pay tuition in exchange for the education they provide.

Pre-school programs usually occur in the year preceding school entry and sometimes the previous year as well, or around ages 3-5. The first year of pre-school education is often called pre-kindergarten or nursery school, while the second year is often called kindergarten or preschool.  Just fewer than one million children currently enroll in the first year of pre-school education each year, and some 3.4 million enroll in the second year.

During the initial year of preschool education, children typically attend school for two to three days a week, usually for a period of 3-4 hours.  In the second year, or in kindergarten, the instruction is a bit more rigorous and the time commitment is longer, with children attending school five days a week for 4-5 hours a day.

The 3-5 age range is considered a professional and research specialization for educators in the United States.  Thus, U.S. instructors of early childhood education are generally very well-educated and highly trained, typically possessing a Bachelor degree or higher and a teaching certificate issued by the state in which they live and work.  While the exact curriculum taught at preschools may vary from one state to the next, the goals of those curricula are typically very similar.  Preschools aim to provide a developmental approach to learning, one emphasizing language and literacy, as well as physical, emotional and social development.  Students are also introduced to basic concepts in the areas of math, science, social studies, music, movement and art.  As a whole, these literacy-focused and problem solving programs provide teachers with all the tools they need to offer effective instruction--instruction built around the concept of cooperative learning within a carefully designed and supportive structure.  To ensure the effectiveness of these programs, extensive training and support for teachers is not only offered, but integral to ongoing curriculum implementation.

Compulsory Education in the U.S. (Elementary School and Secondary School)

Elementary Education

Texas school children Elementary or primary education in the United States typically begins at age six and represents the beginning of a student’s compulsory education.  This stage of education lasts six years, beginning with grade one and culminating with grade 6 (age 12).  The length of the school day for elementary-age children is 6-7 hours depending on the grade level and district, beginning at 7:30-8:30 AM and culminating at 2:00 to 3:00 PM. 

Elementary education is offered free of charge at American public schools, although parents may be required to purchase certain school supplies and books.  Parents not comfortable with the public school setting can instead opt to send their children to one of the thousands of private schools across the country, albeit for an expensive annual fee.  These schools, which are mainly operated by churches and private companies, can usually offer smaller classroom sizes and are bound by the same academic standards that govern the public schools

Elementary schools in the United States provide instruction in the fundamental skills of reading, writing and mathematics, with each grade building on the year before.  Students are also introduced to several other subjects throughout this six-year stage of education, including history and geography (taught together as social studies), crafts, music, science, art and physical education.  Foreign languages, which formerly were taught solely at high schools, are now being introduced during the last few years of elementary school in some areas, although in the majority of cities, schools still do not offer any foreign language instruction.  All schools, however, now have specialized programs for those students whose first language is something other than English.  These programs, which stress English learning as part of the curriculum, prevent students from falling back on their studies due to barriers in language.

Instruction in elementary schools is guided by a national curriculum, set forth by the United States Secretary of Education, which prepares students for studies at the secondary school level.  In addition to the regular curriculum, all U.S. elementary schools are also compelled to offer Special Education programs.  These programs are designed for students with learning delays and other disabilities that affect their ability to learn at the same pace as other students.  In addition, many elementary schools offer Gifted Education programs.  These programs are designed to address the needs of students for whom the regular curriculum in one or more subjects is not challenging enough.

In elementary school, the instruction is led by one teacher and the classroom sizes range from 20-30 students.  Regular elementary school teachers must, at minimum, possess a four-year Bachelor degree and a one-year, “multiple-subject” teaching credential. Special Education classrooms are generally led by a teacher and a teacher’s aide. The optimal class size for these programs is 15 or fewer students, with a maximum of 20 students.  Special education teachers must have a Bachelor’s degree and a Special Education credential from an accredited university.

Secondary Education

Secondary education in the U.S. is also offered by both public and private schools.  This stage of education is broken down into two distinct levels:  middle or junior high school and high school.  Middle school education generally spans two years (grades 7 and 8) and serves students who are 12-14 years of age.  High school programs span four years (grades 9-12) for students ages 14-18.  While only the initial two years of high school (or whenever a student reaches 16 years of age) are compulsory, most students in the United States complete the entire secondary school program and ultimately graduate from their high school. ThePensters custom writing service from the United States are the best place to get your high-school essays done.

The typical classroom size at American secondary schools is 25-35 students, and each classroom is led by a single teacher.  Like primary schools, middle schools and high schools in the United States also offer Special Education classes (with a teacher and an adult assistant), as well as programs designed for gifted students.  These courses, with names such as “Advanced Placement” or “Honors” classes, tend to have a much lower student to teacher ratio, typically topping out between 15 and 20 students per class.  Exceptionally bright students can also take college-level courses during their final two years of high school.

The initial year of secondary school represents the first time in which students have multiple teachers for various subjects.  National standards dictate that secondary school students must take and complete certain core courses for a prescribed number of years or terms as determined by each state.  These core courses generally include English, mathematics, general science, health, physical education, foreign languages and social studies or social sciences, an area which may include American history, World History, Government, Geography, and Sociology or Social Problems. 

Once students complete the middle school requirements, they are promoted to high school, where they enter as 9 graders.  Public American high schools tend to be much larger than secondary schools in other countries, with campuses serving anywhere from between 1,500 to 4,000 students. 

After the first two years of high school, students with no interest in pursuing an academic education at the college or university level can begin taking vocational classes in addition to the academic requirements mentioned above.  These courses range from auto body and woodworking classes to computer-aided drafting and restaurant management.  Collectively, these classes are designed to give students a head start by providing them with an opportunity to learn a marketable skill or trade.

Students who successfully complete their six-year secondary school requirements receive a high school diploma and are honored at a graduation ceremony.  This diploma is the minimum requirement for pursuing a college or university education.

Tertiary Education in the United States

Troy University Following secondary school, students who wish to earn a degree, vocational diploma or trade certificate are afforded many options through which they can continue their education.  Some of the institutions that provide these programs include junior or community colleges; private vocational institutes; and public and private colleges and universities.

Junior Colleges (Community Colleges) and Private Vocational Institutions

Junior or community colleges offer an array of programs designed to help a wide variety of students meet their educational and career goals. Students who ultimately intend to pursue an academic degree at the college or university level can tackle the initial two years of that degree, also called the “general education requirements,” at a junior college and earn an Associate’s Degree in the process.  Junior colleges allow underclassmen to take specific lower-level subject requirements and transfer the credits they earn to the college or university of their choice.  Not only do these institutions represent an affordable option to a high-cost university, they allow students (with a less-than-stellar high school resume) to take and pass courses that will ultimately help them qualify for university admittance.

Although junior colleges are primarily known as academic institutions, they also offer scores of vocational pathways for students and an opportunity to earn a diploma or certification in a specific career field or trade.  Like private vocational institutions, the programs they offer are designed for students seeking a much more rapid track through which to earn the credentials they need for their chosen career.  Some of the specialized programs offered at junior colleges and private vocational institutions include:

  • Auto Mechanics and Body Repair
  • Iron and Metal Workers
  • Construction
  • Real Estate
  • HVAC (heating and air conditioning)
  • Cosmetology
  • Dental and Medical Assisting
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Electrician
  • Medical billing and Coding, and
  • Many, many more
The vocational programs at junior colleges and private vocational institutes typically span between 1 and 2 years.  Upon completion, graduates receive a diploma or certificate making them eligible to pursue a career position in their chosen field, and in many cases, the college or institute will also offer job placement assistance as part of the program.

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Eligibility Requirements

Students who wish to earn a Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degree in the United States must first apply for admittance into one of the thousands of colleges and universities in the country, both public and private.  Each institution sets its own policy for admission, but the minimum requirement at all U.S. institutions is a high school diploma.  Other criterion that colleges and universities will look at prior to admittance includes:

  • Grade point average (GPA)
  • The difficulty (or lack thereof) of the course load
  • SAT and ACT scores (college entrance exams taken in a student’s final year of high school)
  • School involvement (clubs, sports teams, student government, etc.)
  • Community service
  • Student essay
 

Naturally, the eligibility requirements of the larger public colleges are not nearly as rigid as some of the more prestigious private universities, such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford, where only the brightest of students across the country are admitted each year.

Degree Structure

The degree structure at America’s colleges and universities is very similar to that of other North American and many European countries.  It includes:

  • Bachelor Degree.  A Bachelor Degree program, whether you’re pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree, will typically span four years in duration, assuming you attend school full-time and have access to all the classes you need.  The exact time to complete the program will, of course, depend on the institution and the subject area in which you are focusing your studies.
  • Master’s Degree.  The time required to complete a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree ranges from two to three years for full-time students (after earning a Bachelor degree).  Like with the Bachelor degree, the exact time to complete the degree will depend on the aforementioned factors.
  • Doctorate Degree.  The highest academic degree available in the United States, a doctorate degree has no specific timeframe for completion.  Doctorate candidates work closely with an academic/professional advisor, and together they develop a comprehensive study plan for the student, one which usually culminates in a doctoral dissertation or project.  In most cases, the time to complete this degree varies between 3 to 6 years.
In addition to the degrees mentioned above, U.S. students also have the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees that lead to positions in specific professional careers, including the areas of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, psychiatry and the law.