+

The American Education System

21 December 2011
Ariana Tobin: Fulbright English
Fellow
Danielle Montagne: English Language

+ Objective:
During todays lecture, we will discuss:

The American Public School System (K-12)

[A Brief] History of Education in America

The goals/learning objectives of Public Schools in

America

Traditional Structure/Variations in Public School

Structures

American Public Elementary, Middle and High School

Teacher/Student Case Studies

Alternative Education Options (K-12)

Contemporary Social Issues in k-12 Education

Follow up Discussion Questions & Student Questions

Warm Up Questions

The American Public School System

What do you know about the American Education system?

Are there any stereotypes about American education or

American students that you know of?

How/where have you learned information about the

American School system?

How do you think American school system differs from

the Belorussian School system?

How do you think the American School system is

similar to the Belorussia School system?

The American Public School

System (K-12)

History of the American Public School System

The first American schools in the thirteen original colonies

opened in the 17th century.

Established for wealthy families who could afford to send

their children to school.

One room school houses would often serve primary, middle and
high school age students.

For most families, literacy and mathematics education was done

in the homesoften by mothers during Americas early history.

Education for women, African Americans and non-English

speaking immigrants was limited or outlawed until the 20 th
century.

History of the American Public School

System
After the American Revolution, an emphasis was put on
education:

Especially true in the northern states, which

rapidly established public schools.

By the year 1870, all states had free public

elementary schools.

Private academies flourished in the towns across the

country, but rural areas (where most people lived) had
few schools before the 1880s.

By 1900, the US population had one of the highest

literacy in the world.

Education seen as necessary for developing intelligent

American citizens capable in participating in all
social and political realms of life.

Early American Schools

+Modern

goals of the American Public School System

Education is often seen as a means to deliver equality to

all
American citizens.

K-12 Education is compulsory for all American children.

Education is mainly provided by the public sector and

funded by the federal, state and local governments.

School curricula, funding, teaching, employment, and other

policies are set through locally elected school boards who
have control over a specified school district.

The modern goals of the American education system is to

develop:
A well-rounded individual prepared with
critical thinking skills
problem solving skills
creativity when approaching real life situations.

+Traditional

Structure of the American

School System (K-12)

The American School system traditionally

consists of:
Pre-school (age 3-5) not compulsory
Primary School/Elementary School
Kindergarten (age 5-6)
Grades 1-6 (ages 6-12)
Middle School
Grades 7-8 (ages 12-14)
High School
Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)

K-12
Structur
es

American Primary/Elementary Schools

Public Elementary School teachers instruct between 20-30 students

of diverse learning needs.

A typical classroom will include children with a range of learning

needs
or abilities, from those identified as having
special needs (special education) to students non-native English
speakers (ESL students).

Each local school district gives each teacher a book to give to the
students for each subject, and brief overviews of what the teacher
are expected to teach.

Learning standards are identified for all areas of a curriculum by

individual States, including those for mathematics, social studies,
science, physical development, the fine arts, and reading.

Elementary School teachers are trained with emphases on human

cognitive and psychological development and the principles of
curriculum development and instruction.

Teachers typically earn either a Bachelors or Masters Degree in

Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

Certification standards for teachers are determined by

individual states.

Images of an American
Elementary School

Case Study: Typical Day of American Primary

School Teacher

A typical teacher works 8 hours, 5 days a week, at the same

school. [September-June]
Federal Holidays and Summer Vacations off from work.

Primary school teachers traditionally teach the same group of

students (20-30 students) for the full day.

Courses include: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social

Studies.

Teachers often have one (40-45 minute) break or preparation

period during the day.
Students receive classes from a different teacherMusic,
Art, Gym (sports), Drama, Chorus, etc.

Teachers must have one lunch break (40-45 minute) during the
day.

Many teachers stay after school to participate in

extracurricular activities for students or provide additional
teaching time.

Case Study: Typical Day of American Primary

School Student

School begins in early September through the end of June.

Most students arrive to school by a big yellow school bus.

Students generally attend all classes in the same classroom

with the same group of [diverse] students.

Students are taught strategies of working independently, in

groups and in partners during the school day.

Students usually have recess during the school day and often
spend time on a playground with their friends.

Being sent to the principals office is seen as a major

punishment.

Elementary school students are sent home with 30 minutes to 1

hours of homework each night (depending on grade level).

Extracurricular activities are popular for older elementary

school students.

+American

Secondary Schools: Middle School

Middle School include the grade levels intermediate

between elementary school and senior high school.

"Middle school" usually includes seventh and eighth

grades

"Junior high" typically includes seventh through

ninth grade.

At this time, students are given more independence:

Having different teachers for each subjects.
Taking on more independent homework
assignments and projects.
Moving to different classrooms for different
subjects
being allowed to choose some of their class
subjects (electives).

Images of an American
Middle School

+American

Secondary Schools: Senior High School

Senior High School is a school attended after middle

school/
junior high school.

The term High school is often used instead of senior

high school

High school usually runs either from 9th through 12th

grade.

The students in these grades are commonly referred to

as:
freshmen (grade 9)
sophomores (grade 10)
juniors (grade 11)
seniors (grade 12).

students take a broad variety of classes without

special emphasis in any particular subject

Images of an American High

School

+High

School Curriculum

Students take a broad variety of classes without special

emphasis in any particular subject.

Curricula vary widely in quality and rigidity

Some states consider 65 (on a 100-point scale) a passing
grade, while others consider it to be as low as 60 or as
high as 75.

Mandatory subjects are required in nearly all U.S. high

schools:
Science (3 years of biology, chemistry and physics)
Mathematics (4 years of algebra, geometry, pre-calculus,
statistics, and calculus)
English (4 years of literature, humanities, composition,
etc.)
Social sciences (3 years world and U.S. history,
gov./economics)
Physical education (4 years)
Many states require a "health" course (anatomy, first aid,
sexuality, birth control)

+ Students

Choice: Elective Classes

Computers:
Word processing, programming, graphic design

Career and Technical Training:

Business Marketing, health occupations,
technology education, publishing, journalism,
public speaking, creative writing, poetry

Performing Arts/Visual Arts:

Choir, band, orchestra, drama, art, ceramics,
photography, dance

Foreign Languages:
Spanish/French most common

Advanced Placement Courses (AP): College Credit

Courses
Sciences, History, Economics, Art, Etc

+Extracurricular

Activities in American Schools

A major characteristic of American schools is the high

priority
given to sports, clubs and
activities by the community, the
parents,
the schools and the students themselves.

Extracurricular activities are educational activities not

falling within the scope of the regular curriculum but
under the supervision of the school.

These activities can extend to large amounts of time

outside the normal school day and include:
Sports ProgramsFootball, Basketball, Soccer,
Swimming, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Rowing, Dance, etc.
Performing Artsorchestra bands, jazz bands, marching
bands, choirs, school plays/drama clubs/musicals
Debate teams, Student Government, Public Awareness
Organizations, Various Clubs (Poetry Club, Photography
Club, etc.)

Social Life and School Related Activities

A major characteristic of American schools is the

rich social events that are planned and organized by
the high schools.

Formal Dances
Yearly Semiformal Dances
Junior Prom
Senior Prom/Senior Ball

Homecoming Day and Parade

Organized Parade
Homecoming King and Queen elected by students
Celebration at the school

Sports Activities and related social events

Football games
Bonfires and Rallys

Graduation Celebrations

+Case

Study: Typical Day of American High School

Teacher

A typical teacher works 8 hours, 5 days a week, at the same

school. [September-June]
Federal Holidays and Summer Vacations off from work.

High school teachers teach the same subject to:

6 groups of students (45-50 minute classes) each day OR
3 groups of students (90 minutes) every other day

Teaching specialty depends on teaching degree

Teachers often have one preparation period (45 minutes)

during the day.

Teachers must have one lunch break (40-45 minute) during

the day.

Many teachers stay after school to participate in

extracurricular activities for students or provide
additional teaching time.

Case Study: Typical Day of American High School

Student

School begins in early September through the end of June

Some student arrive to school by school bus; many others

drive.

Students attend 4-8 classes each school day.

Students must remain at school for the entire day

leaving for lunch is not allowed.

Students are taught strategies of working independently,

in groups and in partners during the school day.

Students usually have study hall during the school day

and to prepare for classes, study for exams or meet with
teachers.

High school students are sent home with 2 to 3 hours of

homework each night (depending on grade/skill level).

Many students stay after school to participate in

sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities.

Alternative forms of
Home
schooling
Education

In 2007, approximately 1.5 million children were home

]
schooled: 2.9% of all children.

Often associated with religious groups.

Private Schools/Private Academies

Funded solely by student tuition.

Offer more specialized courses.

Parochial School

Run by church organizations.

Funded by student tuition and petitioner

contributions.

Charter School

Funded by both private funds and public funds.

Stricter control over enrollmentcontroversial.

+ Modern Social Issues in

American Education

Educational issues in the United States center on curriculum,

funding, and control.

Funding
U.S. is tied for first place with Switzerland for annual
spending per student: two countries spending more than $11,000
USD
U.S. public schools lag behind the schools of other developed
countries in the areas of reading, math, and science.

No Child Left Behind Act George W. Bush : Gives government the

right to withhold funding if it believes a school, district, or
even a state is improving standardized test scores.

Tracking

Dividing students into learning groups based on classifications

of above average, average or below average

Separating ESL students and Special Education students from

mainstream classrooms.

Modern Social Issues in

American Education
English in the Classroom

Questions on how to best accommodate for non-English speaking

students and parent interest in foreign language instruction.
ESL programs vs. Bilingual programs

Dual Language Programs

Nationwide Education Content and Education Quality

Different content, grade systems and quality across the

nation
Textbook Review and Adoption

Evolution in Kansas

Violence and Drug Use

Preventing violence and drug abuse in schools

Education regarding violence, sex and drug abuse

Questions or Comments?
Please ask me any questions about todays lecture
topic, my personal background or any other
question you might have.

Contact Information

Danielle Marie Montagne

d.m.montagne@gmail.com

Email:

Please feel free to contact me anytime with any

questions, assistance or guidance you need in any
class.