Education in the USA 29 October 2012 Sigrid Brevik Wangsness
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
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
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
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
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
Advantages/ disadvantages of local financing? (Take notes!) Advantages/ disadvantages of local control of textbooks and curriculum? Creationism vs. evolution Sex education Parents’ pressure (PTA)
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
Public (around 85%) Private (around 13%) = mostly religious schools Home education (2%)
RRR Grading and testing from first grade Core courses and exploratory classes After school activities
Required classes (core curriculum) Electives (“the cafeteria system”) “Tracking” + advanced courses (preparation for college) Drop-outs More practical subjects? More discipline?
Quality of US high schools: - Individualism! - Huge local/ social variations - "Honor roll“ vs. functional illiteracy Private high schools The role of sports
Advantages: Disadvantages: 11 22 33 44 55
Grades / GPA SAT tests Entrance requirements Recommendations Application letter/essay Visiting campuses with parents Interviews "Well-rounded students"
A. Undergraduate studies 2-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)
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
The wide range of subjects/ choices Continuous assessment (constant pressure) Evaluation of in-class participation Competitive atmosphere Papers and mid-terms Summer school
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
Umbrella universities Living on campus – a mini community Fraternities and sororities College athletics Social life
State universities In-state and out-of–state tuition Private universities In addition: Room and board, books
Parents Scholarships/ grants Federal grants Need-based scholarships Performance-based scholarships Athletic scholarships Student loans On-campus jobs, for instance T.A. Off-campus part-time jobs
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?