1. American system of education

2. It is mainly the responsibility of the individual states ( for administration and curriculum), but the Federal Government gives money to schools - It means that the system of education is not unified
The schools are controlled by an elected local body called „ SCHOOL BOARD“ ( parents ) and the city and the state

3. Types of schools:
1. Public ( majority ) – financed by state or local government – FREE
2. Private – CHARGE HIGH TUITION FEES
3. Private – Church- much cheaper
- The first type are mixed schools, the second and the third one are single- sex

4. Pre-school and elementary education
Children start school at the age of five
1. kindergarten
2. nursery school
They are from 3 up to 6

5. Compulsory education – at the age of 6
Elementary ( 6 – 11) and secondary schools – comprehensive – no selection of children
Children at elementary schools learn to read, write, do arithmetic, elementary science, history, geography, PE, art, crafts and music
Years are called GRADES

6. Secondary education Middle schools ( 11-14 )- just somewhere
High schools : 1. Junior high ( 12-15)
2. High schools ( )
Subjects – English, modern languages,
mathematics, science, history,
geography, business, home
management, computer science

7. Qualification
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA – succesful completing of a broad secondary education
GENERAL EDUCATION DIPLOMA – after passing an examination
SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST- in math and English – to select students for college or university

8. Higher education Community colleges Vo-techs Universities Colleges
Technical colleges

9. Community colleges
General, vacational and semi-profesional education for people with High school diploma
2 years
AA- Associate of Arts degree

10. Vo-techs Vocational technical schools
From 6 months to 2 years - courses

11. Universities and colleges
Applicants selected on the basis of the high school transcript and teacher´s recommedation – interviews, test results and essays
Undergraduate courses of 4 years of study

12. DEGREE TITLES Bachelor´s degree – BA – of arts BS- of science
After 4 years
. Master´s degrees – after 1-3 years
. Doctoral degrees – 1-5 years

13. The oldest and the most respected universities
Harward
College of William and Mary
Yale University
University of Pennsylvania
Princeton University
College of Columbia