Education in the USA 29 October 2012 Sigrid Brevik Wangsness
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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
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