Elementary Secondary Tertiary / Higher Education Issues Differences

Elementary School sometimes includes Kindergarten (K-6) First Grade – Sixth Grade Age 6 – 12 Emphasis on social skills, reading, writing, physical education (‘Gym’), basic computer skills, arithmetic, art, music, community Pupils in the USA are called “students”; learning and homework are called “studying” No ability-based sorting of pupils at the end of elementary school: nothing like the Dutch “CITO” tests Special vocabulary : recess, “3 Rs”, homeschooling, The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance recited by most elementary school pupils each morning “I pledge allegiance To the flag Of the United States of America, and to the republic For which it stands, One nation, under God, With liberty and justice for all.”

High School Junior High: Grades 7 & 8 (9) Senior High: Grades (9) 10, 11, 12 Nearly all pupils attend the same school: mixed abilities (some different tracks) 90% of American children attend public school (free!) 9% attend private school ; many private schools are religious schools, especially Catholic Many private schools are very expensive ( Example: Andover in Massachusetts costs $27,450 per year)

High School 85% of Americans finish high school Fewer subjects per year than Dutch pupils: usually only 7 or 8 subjects, usually one foreign language Lower-level pupils: “Vo-Tech”: vocational-technical courses (like vmbo ) Higher-level pupils can do “Advanced Placement” ( AP ) or sometimes “International Baccalaureate” (IB) High schools have extra-curricular activities before, during and after school (sports, music, drama, clubs, student government) Standard Achievement Tests ( SATs ) for juniors and seniors College applications: SAT results, AP results, grades, extra- curricular activities determine where and if you can continue your education after high school Special vocabulary : freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, jock, nerd, geek, prom, yearbook, SATs, GPA, college applications, diploma

Higher Education Junior / Community Colleges: 2 years Degree: AA (Associate Degree) Must admit anyone with a high school diploma Inexpensive, but low status The only educational option for a student with low SAT scores and a low GPA Typical educational programs: secretarial, sales Vocational / Technical Institutions or Trade Schools: diploma, but usually no degree (electricians, hairdressers) Manhattan Community College

Higher Education: Undergraduate B.A. / B.S. / B.Ed : 27% of Americans ‘College’ and ‘University’ are the same for the first 4 years “Liberal Arts” colleges (private): intensive general academic education Some careers (teaching, nursing, business) have special colleges Public colleges and universities ( State College / State University ): cheaper, less prestigious Illinois State University Private colleges and universities: much more expensive, more prestigious, generally higher academic level University of Illinois, Harvard University, Stanford University, Amherst College, Swarthmore College Special vocabulary : freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, major, minor, campus, student loan, work-study, “Ivy League”

Higher Education Graduate Schools Special vocabulary : grad school, med school, law school, master’s degree, PhD, dissertation About 8% of all adult Americans have a graduate degree (M.A., M.S., M. Ed, M.D., J.D., PhD, Ed.D.) Many graduate students are foreigners Many high school teachers have graduate degrees Chicago Public Schools Starting Salary Ranges (School Year ): $43,233 - $47,912 (B.A.) $46,228 - $50,906 (M.A.) $52,218 - $56,896 (Ph.D./Ed.D.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Computer Science Center

Structure of Education in the USA

Issues Immigration / non-English- speaking students (especially Hispanic) Safety and security at school → Religious issues at school Functional illiteracy (27% and growing): Federal “No Child Left Behind” program Expensive higher education ( University of Pennsylvania: $35,000 per year for tuition, not including room and board) less foreign language study

Some differences between American and Dutch high schools U.S. high schools have much more space: one-person desks (one version of tests!) More mixed-ability classes Competitive sports at school Grades matter! Most students try to get high grades; not just ‘pass’: much more competition Grades also given for “class participation” Students are too young to drink alcohol (age 18 or 21) Many students can drive (age 16), some have their own cars Starting teacher’s salaries! Can you think of another difference?

“I never let my schooling get in the way of my education.” - MARK TWAIN THE END