1. Education in the USA 29 October 2012 Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

2.  Education has always been of major importance in the USA  Early examples (before1776): Colleges Free public schools  Why?

3. Because…  Belief in education is part of the "American Dream“:  Education is the key to success  Education provides individual opportunity and self-realization

4.  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

5. 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

6.  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

7.  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

8.  Advantages/ disadvantages of local financing? (Take notes!)  Advantages/ disadvantages of local control of textbooks and curriculum? Creationism vs. evolution Sex education  Parents’ pressure (PTA)

9.  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

10.  Public (around 85%)  Private (around 13%) = mostly religious schools  Home education (2%)

11.  RRR  Grading and testing from first grade  Core courses and exploratory classes  After school activities

12.  Required classes (core curriculum)  Electives (“the cafeteria system”)  “Tracking” + advanced courses (preparation for college)  Drop-outs  More practical subjects? More discipline?

13.  Quality of US high schools: - Individualism! - Huge local/ social variations - "Honor roll“ vs. functional illiteracy  Private high schools  The role of sports

14. Advantages: Disadvantages:  11  22  33  44  55

15.  Grades / GPA  SAT tests  Entrance requirements  Recommendations  Application letter/essay  Visiting campuses with parents  Interviews  "Well-rounded students"

16.  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)

17.  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

18.  The wide range of subjects/ choices  Continuous assessment (constant pressure)  Evaluation of in-class participation  Competitive atmosphere  Papers and mid-terms  Summer school

19.  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

20.  Umbrella universities  Living on campus – a mini community  Fraternities and sororities  College athletics  Social life

21.  State universities  In-state and out-of–state tuition  Private universities  In addition: Room and board, books

22.  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

23.  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?