Most of the people in our country know about the education system in America only from films and books. Itâs no secret to anyone that many of the innovations in our educational system are trying to borrow from the USA. In our article, we will try to figure out what a school in America is, what are its features and differences from our educational institutions.
Differences between American education and Russian
More recently, during the Soviet era, education in the Soviet Union was considered one of the best. Now they are increasingly comparing our education system with the American one. There is a significant difference between them, it is impossible to say which one is better and which is worse. Each has its pros and cons.
The American education system is more democratic. If almost all schools have one curriculum in our country, then in the USA there is no single plan. Pupils attend only a few compulsory disciplines, and everyone chooses the remaining subjects at their discretion, taking into account personal preferences and the choice of a future profession. We can say that the school in America adheres to an individual approach to teaching much more than Russian.
Another difference between American educational institutions is that in them such concepts as âclassâ or âclassmatesâ have a completely different meaning. Because all children studying in the same class can be called a collective with great difficulty. Nevertheless, the American school presupposes the creation of collectives, but most often this happens in special classes, which, moreover, are chosen by the children themselves.
Compared to our schools, sports facilities in the USA are the most popular, there are practically no institutions for children where there is no well-equipped gymnasium, swimming pool and stadium.
A school in America is not a single building, as in our country. More reminiscent of a campus with several buildings. On its territory are necessarily additionally equipped:
- Assembly halls for various events.
- Gym.
- A big library.
- Canteen.
- Park zone.
- Residences.
It has already been mentioned a little that in each state in America, their educational programs can be approved. But uniform for all remains compulsory secondary education. True, it can begin either from 6 years old, or from seven. The time of the start of classes may vary: in some schools they can start at 7:30, while others prefer to put their children at their desks at 8:00.
The academic year, unlike ours, is divided into only two semesters, and not a quarter. Assessment does not involve a five-point system, but a 100-point criterion is often used.
Educational system in american schools
American education is quite diverse, so everyone can choose for themselves an individual path in mastering knowledge. Every country and every nation has its own value systems, traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. There are also their own installations, which from childhood are laid in children's heads. For example, from the very birth, a Jewish baby is told by his parents that he is the smartest and can accomplish any accomplishment. Maybe that is why there are so many outstanding scientists and the latest discoveries in this country.
In American families, a child from childhood learns one truth: in life there is always room for a choice that he can make. Not everyone can become famous physicists or chemists, but you can always find many other exciting activities for yourself. In the USA, a place in society and well-being do not depend on the type of activity or your profession, but on success in this area. Itâs not at all shameful to be a simple car mechanic if you do your job at the highest level and a line of customers is built for you.
The American education system is also tuned for this. Already within the walls of the school, the child can choose for himself those classes that he likes best. Only one requirement remains to consistently graduate from several types of schools, which will be discussed later.
There are no rigid groups or classes in schools, students are called students and have the right to choose courses that correspond to their inclinations and the aspirations in life that they have. If our schools draw up a common schedule for each class, then there each student can have his own lesson schedule.
Each course is evaluated by a certain number of points, which is called credit there. There is even a minimum loan, which must be obtained in order to move to the next school or enter another educational institution. There are special classes in which preparation for college is underway, but in order to be eligible to attend them, you must have a âpersonal loanâ. Most children consciously choose for themselves classes that attend, and therefore their path to the future.
A school in America practices scholarships for children, which depend on the size of a "personal loan." It also happens when a student has such a high credit that it is enough to receive two higher education for free.
We can say that students have two options: to achieve everything with their labor and abilities, or to use their parents' money for further education.
Another interesting feature of the American school is that the child is still studying at the school, and information about his achievements is transmitted to all higher education institutions. There are no entrance exams to institutes and universities, each student writes test papers on subjects throughout the year, and results at the end of the year are sent not only to the school curriculum, but also to colleges and universities. After leaving school, each student can only consider invitations from various educational institutions to study or send requests to them, waiting for an answer. So it turns out that you can achieve high results and enter a prestigious university not only for money, but also with the maximum of your work.
It doesnât matter how many schools there are in America, but in each of them the only decisive factor for entering a prestigious university is its own great desire and aspiration. Of course, not everyone is given good mental abilities, but if you want to study at a university, the state with a great desire can give a student loan, which is paid after graduation.
Varieties of schools in America
There are many educational institutions in the USA, but all of them can be divided into the following types:
- State schools.
- Boarding school.
- Private educational institutions.
- Home schools.
Public schools are divided according to the age criterion: there is a primary school, secondary and senior. It is necessary to clarify how children study in America in such schools. First of all, a distinctive feature is their strict demarcation into separate institutions. They are not only located in separate buildings, but also geographically can be located far from each other.
Boarding schools are located in large fenced areas with well-equipped buildings for classes, residences, gyms and everything necessary for obtaining a quality education. Such schools are often called "schools of life" and are justified.
Secondary education in the USA
To obtain a certificate of education, you must complete three levels of school:
- Elementary school.
- Average.
- The eldest.
All of them have their own requirements and features. Programs and items can also vary greatly.
Elementary education
Education in America begins with elementary school. It is necessary to clarify that in order to get to school, there are no problems. Parents bring some students, those who are already 16 can come by car themselves, and the rest are taken by school buses. If the child is in poor health or is disabled, then the bus can drive directly to his house. Children are also brought home after class. All school buses are yellow, so confusing them with other public transport is simply impossible.
Most often, the elementary school building is located in parks and squares, it has one floor and is quite cozy inside. One teacher deals with the class and conducts all subjects according to the curriculum. Babies, as a rule, have traditional activities: reading, writing, mother tongue and literature, fine arts, music, mathematics, geography, natural sciences, hygiene, work and physical education.
Classes for classes are completed taking into account the abilities of children. Before this, the kids are tested. But all tests are no longer aimed at identifying the level of preparedness for school, but at revealing the natural inclinations of the child and his intelligence coefficient.
After testing, students are divided into three classes: âAâ - gifted children, âBâ - normal, âCâ - incapable. From gifted children, they have been working more intensively since elementary school and are orienting them towards further higher education. The entire learning process in elementary school takes five years.
High School in America
After finishing elementary school, a child with a certain âpersonal creditâ goes to the middle link. The question is, how many high schools in America have? As it was found out, the training takes three years, respectively, students move to grades 6, 7 and 8.
A secondary school, like a primary school, in each district can have its own curriculum. The study week lasts 5 days, and the holidays twice a year - winter and summer.
The secondary school is usually located in a more spacious building, since much more students study there. Training also goes on a loan system. In addition to the required subjects, which include mathematics, English, literature, each child can choose, depending on their preferences, additional lessons. At the end of the year, exams must follow, in order to move to the next class, you need to get a certain amount of loans. In high school, vocational guidance is introduced, which helps children make their choice in life.
High school
What types of schools in America exist, we have sorted out, it remains to find out what a high school is. It includes 4 years of study, from grades 9 to 12. As a rule, such schools have their own specialization, therefore, from the 9th grade, thorough preparation for entering higher educational institutions begins. This type of school is quite important, because during the training you can not only accumulate enough knowledge for admission, but also get loans that will significantly save on your studies.
In high school, the program requires the study of English, mathematics, social subjects and natural disciplines. Given that high school should adhere to specialized education, then in different institutions there may be different directions.
The following directions in schools:
- Industrial
- Agricultural
- Commercial.
- The general.
- Academic.
For example, if a student studied in an academic profile, then he has the right to enter a higher educational institution. But this applies only to well-performing guys. If the results are not very good, then the student chooses a suitable practical course for himself.
Any professional profile gives students practical skills. Depending on the chosen direction, a lesson schedule is compiled.
Rules in American Schools
School rules exist in any school, of course, in American they are significantly different from ours. Here are some of them:
- It is forbidden to walk along the corridors during lessons.
- When entering the toilet, the student is given a pass card, which is marked by the teacher on duty in the toilet.
- If the child misses school, then on the same day the secretary calls and finds out the reason for the absence.
- You can skip only 18 lessons, if the subject is taught all year, if the course takes six months, then only 9 passes are allowed.
- Until all the lessons are over, you canât leave the school, cameras are everywhere.
- The school guards monitor the order, they go in civilian uniforms, but have weapons.
- In American schools, it is forbidden to eat in the corridors and classes, this can only be done in the dining room or cafe.
- Do not carry drinks and food.
- Drugs and alcohol are forbidden, as well as carrying weapons, although such a warning for our schools looks quite ridiculous. In our country, this is taken for granted.
- The manifestation of sexual inequality in any form is not permitted. Even a hand on a friendâs shoulder can be regarded as sexual harassment.
- It is forbidden to play cards in the classroom.
- School rules even contain a clause such as a ban on cheating.
- Damage to school property is not allowed.
Some rules relate to school uniforms, for us some of them seem completely absurd:
- Do not wear clothing that displays ads for alcohol or drugs.
- Transparent clothing is also prohibited.
- Underwear should not peek out.
- Tank straps should not be too thin.
- You canât go barefoot at school.
- The shirt must be necessarily with a collar.
- It is forbidden to wear high heel shoes.
- Sandals, sneakers and sandals cannot be worn.
You can buy a school uniform in a specialized store, where a card is issued for each student and a discount for a purchase is provided on it.
The American teacher also adheres to a strict style in clothing, of course, it is not necessary to wear suits, but men do not wear jeans for classes, and female teachers often wear skirts than trousers.
All rules for students are printed and pasted into the school diaries at the beginning of the school year.
Private schools in America
All private schools in the USA are paid. Not all families can afford to educate their children in such an institution, because the cost of a private school for all years of education will cost on average, if transferred to Russian money, from 1.5 to 2 million rubles. But it is necessary to clarify that this amount includes not only training, but also full-board accommodation in the guesthouse.
Many private schools are ready to provide material assistance to their students, this applies to both well-performing children and low-income families.
Since promiscuity often walks in public schools, there are frequent cases of rape and pregnancy of young girls, for the safety of their children, parents prefer to pay to be calm for the health and life of their children.
Private schools have some advantages over public schools:
- About 15 people study in classes, which makes it possible for each student to pay maximum attention.
- Living in a hostel provides constant communication with their peers not only in training sessions, but also in domestic conditions.
- In private schools, instruction has a longer period, therefore, the chances of entering a university are increasing.
Private schools, for a number of reasons, are more prestigious, but among state educational institutions you can also find those where you can get a good education.
Home Schooling in America
Recently, home schools have become fashionable in America. Once this kind of education appeared naturally in families in which parents had a good education to educate their children at home, as well as a decent income to acquire all the necessary textbooks and manuals.
Now in many cities in America there are training centers for children from home schools. Teachers in various subjects are attached to each center. They conduct classes for both children and their parents. Usually these are installation classes in which children receive a training program and some necessary materials.
After this, an individual schedule is drawn up for visiting teachers, in the classroom the student writes tests and receives a new assignment. Webinars and online lessons are practiced.
Children who study at home schools also have their own holidays and sports, in which they meet the same as they are. That is, there is a team, only its members are found among themselves much less often.
It is believed that home schooling requires much less effort, so children are less tired and less exposed to the poor influence of peers. Children from such schools are usually friendly, welcoming, have good manners.
Russian schools in America
A school in America for Russians also exists. As a rule, it is chosen by those parents who do not want their children to forget their native language. In such institutions, teaching is conducted in English, but there are subjects such as Russian language and literature.
Most often, Russian schools open at Orthodox parishes, then it turns out that they are not everyday, but Sunday. But some American schools have day-care centers where children are taught Russian. It is also a good opportunity not to forget the native language.
In various centers, circles and sections are opened, which are taught by Russian teachers and in Russian. For example, figure skating, dancing and drawing, gymnastics and others.
For very young children, there are kindergartens, only private ones, where they communicate with the kids in Russian. Only 8 people can be in a group, because a teacher who has received a license for such an activity can simultaneously raise such a number of children. Children are accepted from two years old.
Thus, living in America, you can not forget the Russian language and at the same time freely communicate in English.
To summarize all of the above, we can conclude: no matter what schools in America exist, you can choose at your own discretion. Most often, this question is decided by parents if the child is still small, and at an older age, the choice of educational institution is already carried out together with the children. You can also receive a prestigious education for free if you have a great desire and make every effort.