1. Comparison of Education Systems: United States and Indonesia Chris Susanto *Source: Wikipedia

2. Responsibility ofFederal, State, LocalMinistry of National Education (Ministry of Religious Affairs supervises Islamic schools) Compulsory educationTwelve yearsNine years Separation/jurisdictionBy school districtsFollows the formal structure and jurisdiction of local government Students attendSchools in their districtMay cross district lines, if have the grades Homeschooling standards Varied by statesStudents take standardized test to get certificate of equivalency Early childhoodNot compulsory, responsibility of families Not compulsory, most kids do attend 2 years of (mostly) private kindergarten GradingLetter grades most commonUsed to be 1-10; now 0-100 Standardized testingRequired by NCLB, varied by state; ACT/SAT End of semester for all subjects; end of year determines promotion; exit exams; Grade promotionWhen a student fails to make AYP  Remediation Repeat a grade if fail in Mathematics, Indonesian Language, Religious Education, or if fail in more than two non- core subjects.

3. Grades and Levels in the United States

4. Grades and Levels in Indonesia Early Childhood – Playgroup (Kelompok Bermain) – Kindergarten (Taman Kanak-kanak) – Islamic kindergarten (Raudatul Athfal) Primary Eduaction (Grade 1-6) – Elementary school (Sekolah Dasar) – Islamic elementary school (Madrasah Ibtidaiyah) – Homeschooling with equivalent certificate A (Paket A) Lower Secondary Education (Grade 7-9) – Junior high school (Sekolah Menengah Pertama) – Islamic junior high school (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) – Homeschooling with equivalent certificate B (Paket B) Higher Secondary Education (Grade 10-12) – University-preparatory school Senior high school (Sekolah Menengah Atas) Islamic high school (Madrasah Aliyah) – Vocational education (Kejuruan) Vocational school (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruann) Islamic vocational school (Madrasah Aliyah Kejuruan) – Homeschooling with equivalent certificate C (Paket C)