The US System of Education A Personal Perspective

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 University2. Harvard University3. Yale University4. Columbia University5. Stanford University6. University of Chicago7. Duke University8. Massachussets Institute of

Technology9. University of Pennsylvania10.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 & Universities

http://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]