Education in the United States

Education in the United States is provided by public, private and home schools.State governments set overall educational standards, often mandate standardized tests for K–12 public school systems and supervise, usually through a board of regents, state colleges and universities. Funding comes from the state, local, and federal government.Private schools are generally free to determine their own curriculum and staffing policies,with voluntary accreditation available through independent regional accreditation authorities, although some state regulation can apply.In 2013, about 87% of school-age children (those below higher education)attended state funded public schools, about 10% attended tuition andfoundation funded private schools and roughly 3% were home-schooled.By state law, education is compulsory over an age range starting between 

five and eight and ending somewhere between ages sixteen and eighteen,depending on the state. This requirement can be satisfied in public schools, state-certified private schools, or an approved home school  program. In most schools, compulsory education is divided into three  levels: elementary school, middle or junior high school, and high school. 
Children are usually divided by age groups into grades, ranging from kindergarten (5-6 year olds) and first grade for the youngest children, up to twelfth grade (17–18 years olds) as the final year of high school.There are also a large number and wide variety of publicly and privately administered institutions of higher education throughout the country.
Post-secondary education, divided into college, as the first tertiary degree, and graduate school, is described in a separate section below.
The United States spends more per student on education than any other country. In 2014, the Pearson/Economist Intelligence Unit rated US education as 14th best in the world, just behind Russia In 2015, the Programme for International Student Assessment rated U.S. high school
 students No. 40 globally in Math and No. 24 in Science and Reading. The President of the National Center on Education and the Economy said of the results "the United States cannot long operate a world-class economy 
if our workers are, as the OECD statistics show, among the worst-educated in the world". Former U.S. Education Secretary John B.King, Jr. acknowledged the results in conceding U.S. students were well behind their peers. According to a report published by the U.S. News & World Report, of the top ten colleges and universities in the world, eight are American (the other two are Oxford and Cambridge, in the United

 Kingdom)

HISTORY

History of education in the United States 

 Government-supported and free public schools for all began to be 

established after the American Revolution. Between 1750 and 1870 parochial 

schools appeared as "ad hoc" efforts by parishes. Historically, many 

parochial elementary schools were developed which were open to all 

children in the parish, mainly Catholics, but also Lutherans, Calvinists 

and Orthodox Jews. Nonsectarian Common schools designed by Horace Mann were opened, which taught the three Rs (of reading, writing, and arithmetic) and also history and geography.

While America saw Europe as a model for education due to its established 

private and public school systems and institutions, the American push for public education has deep roots in the fight for Universal Human Rights for former slaves. As Ada Gay Griffin details, the demand for a public educational system rose from the fight for universal literacy and educational rights for former slaves and the African American population that lacked an adequately educated and literate body.

Columbian School in Concord, Vermont to improve the quality of 

the burgeoning common school system by producing more qualified teachers.

States passed laws to make schooling compulsory between 1852 

(Massachusetts) and 1917 (Mississippi). They also used federal funding  

designated by the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Acts of 1862 and 1890 to 

set up land grant colleges specializing in agriculture and engineering. 

By 1870, every state had free elementary schools, albeit only in urban

 centers.

From about 1876, thirty-nine states passed a constitutional amendment to 

their state constitutions, called Blaine Amendments after James G. Blaine,

 one of their chief promoters, forbidding the use of public tax money to 

fund local parochial schools.

Following the American Civil War, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial 

Institute was founded in 1881, in Tuskegee, Alabama, to train "Colored 

Teachers," led by Booker T. Washington, (1856–1915), who was himself a 

freed slave. His movement spread to many other Southern states to establish small colleges for "Colored or Negro" students entitled "A. & M.," ("Agricultural and Mechanical") or "A. & T.," ("Agricultural and Technical"), some of which later developed into state universities.

Responding to many competing academic philosophies being promoted at the

 time, an influential working group of educators, known as the Committee 

of Ten, and established in 1892 by the National Education Association,

 recommended that children should receive twelve years of instruction, 

consisting of eight years of elementary education (also known as "grammar

 schools") followed by four years in high school ("freshmen," "sophomores," "juniors," and "seniors").

Gradually by the late 1890s, regional associations of high schools,

colleges and universities were being organized to coordinate proper 

accrediting standards, examinations and regular surveys of various 

institutions to assure equal treatment in graduation and admissions 

requirements, course completion and transfer procedures.

By 1910, 72 percent of children attended school. Private schools spread 

during this time, as well as colleges and — in the rural centers — land

grant colleges also. Between 1910 and 1940 the high school movement 

resulted in rapidly increasing public high school enrollment and 

graduations. By 1930, 100 percent of children attended school[citation 

needed] (excluding children with significant disabilities or medical 

concerns).

During World War II, enrollment in high schools and colleges plunged as 

many high school and college students dropped out to take war jobs.

The 1946 National School Lunch Act, which is still in operation, provided 

low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified low-income students 

through subsidies to schools, based on the idea that a "full stomach" 

during the day supported class attention and studying. The 1954 Supreme 

Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas made racial 

desegregation of public elementary and high schools mandatory, although 

private schools expanded in response to accommodate white families 

attempting to avoid desegregation by sending their children to private

 secular or religious schools. 

In 1965, the far-reaching Elementary and Secondary Education Act ('ESEA'),

 passed as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty, provided

 funds for primary and secondary education ('Title I funding').

 Title VI explicitly forbid the establishment of a national curriculum.

Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 created the Pell Grant 

program which provides financial support to students from low-income 

families to access higher education. 

In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act established 

funding for special education in schools.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 made standardized 

testing a requirement. The Higher Education Amendments of 1972 made 

changes to the Pell Grants. The 1975 Education for All Handicapped 

Children Act (EHA) required all public schools accepting federal  

funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for

 children with physical and mental disabilities. The 1983 National 

Commission on Excellence in Education report, famously titled A Nation 

at Risk, touched off a wave of local, state, and federal reform efforts,

 but by 1990 the country still only spent 2 per cent of its budget on

 education, compared with 30 per cent on support for the elderly.

 In 1990, the EHA was replaced with the Individuals with Disabilities 

Education Act (IDEA), which placed more focus on students as individuals, 

and also provided for more post-high school transition services.

The 2002 No Child Left Behind, passed by a bipartisan coalition in 

Congress provided federal aid to the states in exchange for measu

standardized state exams in mathematics and language skills.

 In the same year, the U.S. Supreme Court diluted some of the century-old

"Blaine" laws upheld an Ohio law allowing aid to parochial schools under 

specific circumstances.The 2006 Commission on the Future of Higher 

Education evaluated higher education.

In December 2015, President Barack Obama signed legislation replacing No 

Child Left Behind with the Every Student Succeeds Act
Statistics
In 2000, 76.6 million students had enrolled in schools from Kindergarten
 through graduate schools. Of these, 72 percent aged 12 to 17 were 
considered academically "on track" for their age, i.e. enrolled in at or
 above grade level. Of those enrolled elementary and secondary schools,
 5.2 million (10.4 percent) attended private schools.[citation needed]

Over 85 percent of the adult population have completed high school and
 27 percent have received a bachelor's degree or higher. The average 
salary for college or university graduates is greater than $51,000,
 exceeding the national average of those without a high school diploma by
 more than $23,000, according to a 2005 study by the U.S. Census Bureau.
 The 2010 unemployment rate for high school graduates was 10.8%; the rate
 for college graduates was 4.9%.

The country has a reading literacy rate of 99% of the population over age
 15,[32] while ranking below average in science and mathematics 
understanding compared to other developed countries. In 2014, a record
 high of 82% of high school seniors graduated, although one of the reasons 
for that success might be a decline in academic standards.

The poor performance has pushed public and private efforts such as the No 
Child Left Behind Act. In addition, the ratio of college-educated adults 
entering the workforce to general population (33%) is slightly below the 
mean of other[which?] developed countries (35%) and rate of 
participation of the labor force in continuing education is high. A 2000s 
(decade) study by Jon Miller of Michigan State University concluded that "
A slightly higher proportion of American adults qualify as scientifically 
literate than European or Japanese adults"

In 2006, there were roughly 600,000 homeless students in the United 
States, but after the Great Recession this number more than doubled to 

approximately 1.36 million

The Educational Structure

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL

Prior to higher education, American students attend primary and secondary school for a combined total of 12 years. These years are referred to as the first through twelfth grades.

Around age six, U.S. children begin primary school, which is most commonly called “elementary school.” They attend five or six years and then go onto secondary school.

Secondary school consists of two programs: the first is “middle school” or “junior high school” and the second program is “high school.” A diploma or certificate is awarded upon graduation from high school. After graduating high school (12th grade), U.S. students may go on to college or university. College or university study is known as “higher education.”

GRADING SYSTEM

Just like American students, you will have to submit your academic transcripts as part of your application for admission to university or college. Academic transcripts are official copies of your academic work. In the U.S. this includes your “grades” and “grade point average” (GPA), which are measurements of your academic achievement. Courses are commonly graded using percentages, which are converted into letter grades.

The grading system and GPA in the U.S. can be confusing, especially for international students. The interpretation of grades has a lot of variation. For example, two students who attended different schools both submit their transcripts to the same university. They both have 3.5 GPAs, but one student attended an average high school, while the other attended a prestigious school that was academically challenging. The university might interpret their GPAs differently because the two schools have dramatically different standards.

Therefore, there are some crucial things to keep in mind:

• You should find out the U.S. equivalent of the last level of education you completed in your home country.
• Pay close attention to the admission requirements of each university and college, as well as individual degree programs, which may have different requirements than the university.
• Regularly meet with an educational advisor or guidance counselor to make sure you are meeting the requirements.

Your educational advisor or guidance counselor will be able to advise you on whether or not you must spend an extra year or two preparing for U.S. university admission. If an international student entered a U.S. university or college prior to being eligible to attend university in their own country, some countries’ governments and employers may not recognize the students’ U.S. education.

ACADEMIC YEAR

The school calendar usually begins in August or September and continues through May or June. The majority of new students begin in autumn, so it is a good idea for international students to also begin their U.S. university studies at this time. There is a lot of excitement at the beginning of the school year and students form many great friendships during this time, as they are all adjusting to a new phase of academic life. Additionally, many courses are designed for students to take them in sequence, starting in autumn and continuing through the year.

The academic year at many schools is composed of two terms called “semesters.” (Some schools use a three-term calendar known as the “trimester” system.) Still, others further divide the year into the quarter system of four terms, including an optional summer session. Basically, if you exclude the summer session, the academic year is either comprised of two semesters or three quarter terms.

THE U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM: LEVELS OF STUDY

• First Level: Undergraduate

"The American system is much more open. In Hong Kong you just learn what the teacher writes on the board. In America, you discuss the issues and focus more on ideas."

Paolo Kwan from Hong Kong: Studying English and Business Administration at Sierra College in California

A student who is attending a college or university and has not earned a bachelor’s degree, is studying at the undergraduate level. It typically takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can either begin your studies in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree at a community college or a four-year university or college.

Your first two years of study you will generally be required to take a wide variety of classes in different subjects, commonly known as prerequisite courses: literature, science, the social sciences, the arts, history, and so forth. This is so you achieve a general knowledge, a foundation, of a variety of subjects prior to focusing on a specific field of study.

Many students choose to study at a community college in order to complete the first two years of prerequisite courses. They will earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree and then transfer to a four-year university or college.

A “major” is the specific field of study in which your degree is focused. For example, if someone’s major is journalism, they will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. You will be required to take a certain number of courses in this field in order to meet the degree requirements of your major. You must choose your major at the beginning of your third year of school.

A very unique characteristic of the American higher education system is that you can change your major multiple times if you choose. It is extremely common for American students to switch majors at some point in their undergraduate studies. Often, students discover a different field that they excel in or enjoy. The American education system is very flexible. Keep in mind though that switching majors may result in more courses, which means more time and money.

• Second Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Master’s Degree

Presently, a college or university graduate with a bachelor’s degree may want to seriously think about graduate study in order to enter certain professions or advance their career. This degree is usually mandatory for higher-level positions in library science, engineering, behavioral health and education.

Furthermore, international students from some countries are only permitted to study abroad at a graduate level. You should inquire about the credentials needed to get a job in your country before you apply to a postgraduate university in the USA.

A graduate program is usually a division of a university or college. To gain admission, you will need to take the GRE (graduate record examination). Certain master’s programs require specific tests, such as the LSAT for law school, the GRE or GMAT for business school, and the MCAT for medical school.

Graduate programs in pursuit of a master’s degree typically take one to two years to complete. For example, the MBA (master of business administration) is an extremely popular degree program that takes about two years. Other master’s programs, such as journalism, only take one year.

The majority of a master’s program is spent in classroom study and a graduate student must prepare a long research paper called a “master’s thesis” or complete a “master’s project.”

• Third Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Doctorate Degree

Many graduate schools consider the attainment of a master’s degree the first step towards earning a PhD (doctorate). But at other schools, students may prepare directly for a doctorate without also earning a master’s degree. It may take three years or more to earn a PhD degree. For international students, it may take as long as five or six years.

For the first two years of the program most doctoral candidates enroll in classes and seminars. At least another year is spent conducting firsthand research and writing a thesis or dissertation. This paper must contain views, designs, or research that have not been previously published.

A doctoral dissertation is a discussion and summary of the current scholarship on a given topic. Most U.S. universities awarding doctorates also require their candidates to have a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, to spend a required length of time “in residence,” to pass a qualifying examination that officially admits candidates to the PhD program, and to pass an oral examination on the same topic as the dissertation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Classroom Environment

Classes range from large lectures with several hundred students to smaller classes and seminars (discussion classes) with only a few students. The American university classroom atmosphere is very dynamic. You will be expected to share your opinion, argue your point, participate in class discussions and give presentations. International students find this one of the most surprising aspects of the American education system.

Each week professors usually assign textbook and other readings. You will be expected to keep up-to-date with the required readings and homework so you can participate in class discussions and understand the lectures. Certain degree programs also require students to spend time in the laboratory.

Professors issue grades for each student enrolled in the course. Grades are usually based upon:

• Each professor will have a unique set of class participation requirements, but students are expected to participate in class discussions, especially in seminar classes. This is often a very important factor in determining a student’s grade.
• A midterm examination is usually given during class time.
• One or more research or term papers, or laboratory reports must be submitted for evaluation.
• Possible short exams or quizzes are given. Sometimes professors will give an unannounced “pop quiz.” This doesn’t count heavily toward the grade, but is intended to inspire students to keep up with their assignments and attendance.
• A final examination will be held after the final class meeting.

Credits

Each course is worth a certain number of credits or credit hours. This number is roughly the same as the number of hours a student spends in class for that course each week. A course is typically worth three to five credits.

A full-time program at most schools is 12 or 15 credit hours (four or five courses per term) and a certain number of credits must be fulfilled in order to graduate. International students are expected to enroll in a full-time program during each term.

Transfers

If a student enrolls at a new university before finishing a degree, generally most credits earned at the first school can be used to complete a degree at the new university. This means a student can transfer to another university and still graduate within a reasonable time.

Types of U.S. higher education

"I like that schedules are flexible, classes are fun, and the variety of activities I can participate in."

Xujie Zhao from China: Studying Computer Networking at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston

 

1. STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

A state school is supported and run by a state or local government. Each of the 50 U.S. states operates at least one state university and possibly several state colleges. Many of these public universities schools have the name of the state, or the actual word “State” in their names: for example, Washington State University and the University of Michigan.

 

2. PRIVATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

These schools are privately run as opposed to being run by a branch of the government. Tuition will usually be higher than state schools. Often, private U.S. universities and colleges are smaller in size than state schools.

Religiously affiliated universities and colleges are private schools. Nearly all these schools welcome students of all religions and beliefs. Yet, there are a percentage of schools that prefer to admit students who hold similar religious beliefs as those in which the school was founded.

 

3. COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Community colleges are two-year colleges that award an associate’s degrees (transferable), as well as certifications. There are many types of associate degrees, but the most important distinguishing factor is whether or not the degree is transferable. Usually, there will be two primary degree tracks: one for academic transfer and the other prepares students to enter the workforce straightaway. University transfer degrees are generally associate of arts or associate of science. Not likely to be transferrable are the associate of applied science degrees and certificates of completion.

Community college graduates most commonly transfer to four-year colleges or universities to complete their degree. Because they can transfer the credits they earned while attending community college, they can complete their bachelor’s degree program in two or more additional years. Many also offer ESL or intensive English language programs, which will prepare students for university-level courses.

If you do not plan to earn a higher degree than the associate’s, you should find out if an associate’s degree will qualify you for a job in your home country.

 

4. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

An institute of technology is a school that provides at least four years of study in science and technology. Some have graduate programs, while others offer short-term courses.

"One challenge was the way you register for classes and developing an academic plan. I really didn’t know what to study because I could choose many programs. I met with Angela Khoo [Academic Adviser] about the classes that I could take, and then it became a lot easier for me."

Meiyun Han from China: Studying Nursing at Merritt College in San Francisco