Education in the USA

29 October 2012

Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

Historical Background

Education has always been of major importance in the USA

Early examples (before1776):

Colleges

Free public schools

Why?

Because…

Belief in education is part of the "American Dream“:

Education is the key to success

Education provides individual opportunity and self-realization

 

Historical Background

Education creates equal opportunities

Education was (is!) considered a crucial part of the Americanization process:

The need to learn English

The schools were (are!) shaping the American culture/ identity: Nation building. Values:

"The Pledge of Allegiance". The melting pot

Historical Background

Education was also considered important because of…

The wish to maintain Christianity

The need for educated citizens in a democracy

The need for an educated workforce in the new industries

Historical Background

Federal Department of Education only advisory role + financial help

State/local responsibility for education

State boards of education (50)

Local school districts (some 16,000)

Each school

Each teacher / PTA

Authority

Division of responsibility: federal funding 8%, state 49%, local 43%

Federal funding linked to federal standards/ recommendations, often tied to specific programs

State funding varies, depending on the priorities and resources of the state

Local funding is based on property taxes in most states

Authority: Funding

Advantages/ disadvantages of local financing? (Take notes!)

Advantages/ disadvantages of local control of textbooks and curriculum?

Creationism vs. evolution

Sex education

Parents’ pressure (PTA)

State and Local Control

Elementary school: 6 years (or 8 if Intermediate school is included) - start at the age of 6

High school: 6 years (3 + 3) (or 4 years after Intermediate school) - not selective

Colleges and universities

The Structure of the System

Public (around 85%)

Private (around 13%) = mostly religious schools

Home education (2%)

Public vs. Private: Elementary and High Schools

RRR

Grading and testing from first grade

Core courses and exploratory classes

After school activities

Elementary School

Required classes (core curriculum)

Electives (“the cafeteria system”)

“Tracking” + advanced courses (preparation for college)

Drop-outs

More practical subjects? More discipline?

 

High School

Quality of US high schools:

- Individualism!

- Huge local/ social variations

- "Honor roll“ vs. functional illiteracy

Private high schools

The role of sports

High school

Advantages: Disadvantages:1 12 23 34 45 5

High Schools in the USA: Advantages and Disadvantages

Grades / GPA SAT tests Entrance requirements Recommendations Application letter/essay Visiting campuses with parents Interviews "Well-rounded students"

Preparing for College

A. Undergraduate studies2-year college (AA/ AS)4-year Bachelor's degree: B.A./ B.S./ B.B.A.F, S, J and S years. Grades (BrE: marks)

B. Graduate studies 

Master's degree (1-2 years), M.A./ M.S./ M.B.A.

Professional degrees: medical/ law

Ph.D./ doctorate degree (3 years)

Higher Education in the USA: Colleges and

Universities

Broad knowledge (Liberal Arts) vs. specialization (as in Europe)

Majors and minors

Public and private colleges/universities

  Advantages and disadvantages?

State universities

The Ivy League

Colleges and Universities

The wide range of subjects/ choices

Continuous assessment (constant pressure)

Evaluation of in-class participation

Competitive atmosphere

Papers and mid-terms

Summer school

Colleges and Universities

15 of the world’s top universities are in the USA

The wide range of quality from university to university: The academic levels vary enormously

A lack of academic atmosphere at some institutions – emphasis on social life

Colleges and Universities

Umbrella universities

Living on campus – a mini community

Fraternities and sororities

College athletics

Social life

Campus Life

State universities

In-state and out-of–state tuition

Private universities

In addition: Room and board, books

Tuition Costs

Parents Scholarships/ grants

Federal grantsNeed-based scholarshipsPerformance-based scholarshipsAthletic scholarships

Student loans On-campus jobs, for instance T.A. Off-campus part-time jobs

Student Financing

Expectations - and disappointments

Current trends – and policy debates:

Too much testing? Evaluation of teacher quality Sub-standard schools may lose funding Vouchers for students to choose schools Does competition improve quality?

Controversial Issues in American Education