The US System of Education A Personal Perspective Katie Subra – [email protected] English Language Fellow Minsk State Linguistic University.

The US System of Education A Personal

Perspective

Katie Subra – [email protected]

uEnglish Language

FellowMinsk State Linguistic University

My Experience in Public Education

Education Hierarchy in the U.S.

• Language Arts/English

• World Languages (sometimes)

• Math

• Physical Education

• Art

• Science (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

• History & Social Studies

• Music

• AP Courses

• Electives – Art, Music, Phy.Ed, Industrial Arts, …

• Geography

• Computer Class/Typing

• Homeroom/Study Hall

• Home Economics (Middle-H.S.)

• Industrial Arts (High School)

Common K-12 Subjects

• Moderate class sizes (15-30 students)

• Support for Special Education offered through public schools

• Teacher quality and amount of tax dollars spent/pupil varies by district. (The higher the property tax, the higher the public school funding… usually)

• Zoning causes competition and limitations for attendance; support for Arts, Music, Sports, Science, … varies by district

• Depending on size of district: K-12 could be in 1-4 buildings. (Elementary, Middle School, Jr. High School, Sr. High School)

• There are state & national standards; curriculum by districts

K-12 Norms

• Private Schools

• Charter Schools

• Montessori

• Immersion Schools

• Home-School & Distance Education

Montessori & Charter are examples, but some private schools cost or are religiously affiliated

Publicly funded; privately operated

Self-motivated and individualized education plans; small class sizes; mixed levels

Content courses through a foreign language (Chinese, Spanish,…)

Parents/Guardians must follow state standards and complete standardized tests; Some online

Alternative Education Models

K-12 Socialization• Extra-curriculars• Sports• Academic Clubs• Music in Schools• Theater

• Behavior• Society-Team work• Incentives (grades)• Punishments

(suspension)• Parent-Teacher

conferences, report cards, emails, class site

• Friendship• School dances (prom,

homecoming)• Holiday events• Yearbooks & Class photos• Volunteer organizations• Class Reunions

• Competitiveness• Sports, Academics,

Higher Ed• Between pupils & rival

schools• Students vary: extreme –

lazy

http://www.raconline.org/racmaps/

• Larger Universities may be broken down into colleges:• Liberal Arts & Humanities• Medicine & Health• Education & Human Development• Business and Management• Economics and Marketing• Science and Engineering• Nursing• Biological Sciences• Law School or other Graduate programs*Certificates, Professional License, A.A., B.A./B.S.,

M.A./M.B.A./M.S./M.L.S…, Ed.D/Ph.D/M.D, Post-doc

Popular College and University Subjects

• Most high school students begin applying to 4 year schools in their Junior or Senior year (11th/12th grade)

• Competitive colleges require high test scores (SAT, ACT, AP College Courses) as well as volunteer experience and extra-curriculars.

• Financial Aid, grants, and scholarships are available, but limited (status)

• The percentage of students enrolling in college in the fall immediately following high school completion was 68.2 percent in 2011.

• Students often wait to choose their major until after completing general credits in a 4-year University.

• While it is possible to complete a B.A. Degree in 4 years, many students take 5 years to do so, depending upon funding situations.

College and University Norms

Top Schools: Entrance & Rank

• Things to consider:• Availability of scholarships

(merit & diversity-based)

• Location in US or urban/suburban

• Individual programs

• Cost (Top 10: $40-50,000/year)

• Internships or job placement

• Professor (well-known, specialists)

• Variety v. Depth

• Application deadlines & paperwork

• Acceptance rate/Rolling enrollment

• Language classes or TOEFL requirements

• National University Rankings:1. Princeton University

2. Harvard University

3. Yale University

4. Columbia University

5. Stanford University

6. University of Chicago

7. Duke University

8. Massachussets Institute of Technology

9. University of Pennsylvania

10.California Institute of Technology/Dartmouth College

Profile of My Alma Mater

• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

-Close to my home (120 km)

-Great Liberal Arts Program, Science & Engineering, Psychology, Education, School of Business

-49.5% Acceptance Rate

-Tuition $10-15,000 /year

-Financial Aid Available

-34,000 Students (>6,000 International)

Campaigning for Higher Ed

WONK Ads:American University – Washington D.C.

•WONK = Person "in the know" (Knowledgeable)

•What is their message about their University?

•Who would it attract?

"Hail to the Victors Valiant" Ads: Univeristy of Michigan

•"Skin cancer is beaten differently here." Field-specific advertisements.

•What is their message about their University?

•Who would it attract?

Because Ads: University of Minnesota •"Driven to Discover. Creativity fuels the new economy."•What is their message about their University?•Who would it attract?

My 1st ESL Class – UM Minnesota English Language Program

My most recent ESL Class – WSU (Winona, Minnesota) English Language Center

Questions? - Useful Links

• American Councils http://www.americancouncils.org/

• Association for American Colleges & Universitieshttp://www.aacu.org/

• ELF Belarus – My Teaching Bloghttp://elfbelarus.wordpress.com/

• US News Ranking of Top Universities http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/

• Contact me: [email protected]