Education system of usa

Education System of USA
Munawaawr Hussain Qureshi
PhD Scholar
IIU,Islamabad
munawwar.edu@must.edu.pk

Outline
Background Information
Curriculum
Teacher Education
Examination
Planning and Management
Financing
School Education
University Education

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United
States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country composed of 50 states, a federal
district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At
3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km2), the United States is the world's third-
or fourth-largest country by total area and slightly smaller than the entire
continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles (10.1 million km2). With a
population of over 325 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous
country.

The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York
City. Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North
America between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska is in the northwest
corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering
Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is in the mid-Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea,
stretching across nine official time zones. The extremely
diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the
world's 17 mega diverse countries.

English (American English) is the de facto national language. Although there is
no official language at the federal level, some laws—such as U.S. naturalization
requirements—standardize English. In 2010, about 230 million, or 80% of the
population aged five years and older, spoke only English at home.
Population:
Est. 2017 325,719,178

Colonists from the Old World arrived in North America in 17th Century.
Millions of immigrant that followed were inspired by tales of unlimited opportunities in
America.
America looks forward and believe that tomorrow is always better then today.(Hans 1958)
Believe in Democracy and Self determination
Immigrants had to decide what of their cultural heritage to preserve and what to discard.
School became Americanization agency
Public education can be summarized as decentralized, compulsory, free and
universal.(Mallinson,1957)

Control of Education
After War of Independence (1957-1783) a federal government came into being.
Responsibity of States
• To build its own education system
• Relegated the obligation to local authorities
Role of Federal Govt.
• Encouragement
• Financial Support
• Leadership

Broad areas of Federal Support
Vocational
Education
Edu. for physically
and mentally
handicapped
Areas afftected by
fedral activities
Educational
Support activities
Education for
socially
handicapped
Education,Wellfare
& Research

Role of the state Government
No National System of Education
in US
Each of the 50 states responsible
for its own education system/
State board of Education
(Educational Policies)
Department of Education & Local
School boards are responsible for
school education

Local Control of Education
Unique characteristic- Local school authorities ( School boards, education
councils, Control boards, trustee boards)
School Committee
School Districts: 16000 (1977), 40000 (1950) in US
Elected boards of citizens :5 to 7
Board Responsibilities includes Policies set at state level, taxes, erect buildings,
determine curricula and educational policies, employ teachers and
administrators, oversee the day to day operations.
All aspects vary in practice in each district within same state.

Typically state-controlled education structure of the USA
Governor
Financial Support of
Local chools
Coordination of local school
system
Education standard s on
certification of teachers
Planning
Special Services to local
schools
Special Schools/State universities
& Colleges
Department of Education
Executive Officer
Board of
Education
Commissioner of
Education

Typical Structure of School District in USA
School Boar/Educational
Council
Assistant Manager Assistant Manger Assistant Manager
Sup. Commissioner or
Secretary of Manager
Assistant
Manager
Assistant
Manager

Township/County
Separate school areas with own school boards
Some areas/Parallel to district system
District accept responsibility of primary education and township secondary education
Township areas are too small for effective provision
Township regarded as part of county
Counties are larger administrative units that controls the primary and secondary education

Teacher Education
 The first Teachers Training Institution was established in 1839 in Massachussets state.
 Need of such one year teachers training school begin to be felt in other states also.
 In 1857, the State Normal School at Linxington was established in Illionois state.
Training for primary and secondary school teachers by this normal school.
The one year curriculum of Linxington School was converted into a two year curriculum in 1960.
Till then no role of Higher education colleges and universities
First education department established in University of Lowa in 1879.
University of Michigan work
University of Columbia in New York in 1887/Training for teachers and manager schools

Criteria of Admission
No compulsory qualification for admission was prescribed upto the begning of 20th century
Status of training school up to the secondary school
In 1920 ,two years training raised to four year/Methods were revised and modernized
In 1922, Columbia University brought novety in teachers training methods
Teachers training institutions and centers established
Teacher’s Training as vocational importance
For admission in teachers training program only academic qualification is not taken into
account
Many other states 4 year teachers training program/two years junior college education and in
some cities PhD is compulsory for secondary school teachers

Criteria of Admission
In 1938, the National Education Association of America emphasized the need appointing most
qualified teachers form the point of view of National interest
Establishment of institution: Future teachers of America in 1938.
Most qualified teachers for secondary schools and clubs chapters at college level
Proper training facilities for teacher; view of American citizen
For the purpose of admission/Considerations
Personality
oNature
oPersonal life
oReligion
oSocio cultural and political beliefs

Various Teachers Training Institutions
Before the beginning of 20th century there were 170 Normal schools
Types of Teachers Training institutions in USA
• Department
of
Education
• School of
Education
• Teachers
Colleges
• Normal
Schools

Normal Schools
Based on European traditions
One to two years teachers trainings programs
In 1920, considering two years course inadequate it was converted into 4 years program

Normal Colleges
Managed and run by state government.
Normal schools changed into Teachers Training colleges
First college established in 1857 in Illinois, higher professional training for college teachersIn
In 1888, Teachers Training college open in New York, after 210 years affiliated with Columbia
University
In 1920 the Number increased up to 45
After next 20 years number increased considerably. (Three time)
Period of expansion (1920-1950): Importance of education as a subject introduced
4 years degree programs as well as 5 years with specialization
Masters & Doctorate degree program with International repute

School of Education
Teachers training colleges but affiliated with one or other university
In 1979, Michigan University had organized full time School of education/Degree of graduation
In 1888, The New York University also began to award Graduations degree/More modern
This changed policy affected all the Teachers Training Schools
Admission Procedure
After completing two years of college education
Teaching course along with education subjects
Emphasis on skills and efficiency of teaching profession
Degree of Graduation

Department of Education
In 1873, The Lowa University started part time Teachers Training
Later on Michigon University conducted full time course to make teaching vocational
Many universities and colleges established separate “Departments of Education”
Chigago University established its independent department in pedagogy and advance training of schools
administrators and educational administrators with research facilities
The Syllabi
Two parts a. General education course b. Teachers Training course
In 43 states 4 years teachers training courses are run, in some states 5 years course
In USA 600 institutions are providing advance degree courses
Courses includes health education, education for mental hygiene, child psychology, education for
Internationalism and cultural subjects in teachers training courses.

Examinations & Grades
When a student enrolls in a public school, a ‘cumulative file’ or
‘folder’ is opened for him and there’s a continuous evaluation system
throughout all grades.
Students are marked on each essay, exam and course taken in each
subject studied throughout their 13 years of education (grades K to 12)
and the Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated during high school.

All grades are internal and are related to the general standard
achieved at a particular school, which usually makes it difficult to
compare standards in different schools and states. Marks depend on a
range of criteria, including a student’s performance in tests given at
intervals during the year, participation in class discussions,
completion of homework assignments, and independent projects.
Students receive a report card at least twice a year (in some school
districts it may be up to six times), which shows their grades in each
subject they’re studying.

Students planning to go to college take national college aptitude tests
during their last two years in high school, set by various independent
institutions. Some colleges also require students to take Achievement
(Ach.) Tests. Tests are of the multiple-choice type and aren’t based directly
on school work, but are designed to measure aptitude and verbal and
mathematical skills rather than knowledge (tests are often accused of
testing nothing but a student’s ability to take the test itself).
The best known and widely used tests are the American College Testing
(ACT) programme and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), both of which
are recognised by accredited universities to evaluate potential students.

Curriculum & Levels of Education
Primary or Elementary Education in the US
In primary or elementary school education, a student will be completing five
grades of education. These five grades of education focus on introducing children
to the broad range of knowledge, basic academic learning, reading and
socialization skills they will need to perform well in their future. This also
includes learning basics of mathematics, English proficiency, science, social
studies, physical development and fine arts.

Secondary Education in the US
Junior high school (or middle school) and Senior high school together provides
secondary education to the children. Junior high school refers to grade six through
eight and high school begins with ninth grade and progresses to twelfth grade.
The mandatory subjects which are taught in US high schools include:Science -
biology, chemistry and physics
Mathematics - statistics, algebra, geometry and calculus
English - oral languages, humanities, literature and composition
Social Sciences - history, geography and economics.
Most of the states have made health courses mandatory so that the students learn about
first-aid, nutrition, sexuality and drug awareness. Art, foreign language and physical
education is also made compulsory by some schools in the curriculum.

Undergraduate Education in the US
Undergraduate Schools offer a two-year degree which is called associate's degree or four-year
degree called bachelor's degree in a particular field of study. This particular course of study is
called major.
The most common bachelor's degrees are:Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.)
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
which is awarded after completing five year architecture course.

Postgraduate Education in the US
After the completion of undergraduate courses, the students can continue their
studies by pursuing a master's degree which is a two-year degree to specialize in
a particular field. After completing the master's degree, the students can pursue
their education even further in a particular field with a doctorate degree. Based
on the course opted, capability of the student and the dissertation selected, the
duration to complete a doctorate degree is between three to six years.

Types of Universities in US
Private
Universities
State
Universities
Total 5300 in USA

Top 5 Universities in US
1. Stanford University
Based in Palo Alto, right beside Silicon Valley, Stanford has had a prominent role in encouraging the region’s tech
industry to develop.
Many faculty members, students and alumni have founded successful technology companies and start-ups,
including Google, Snapchat and Hewlett-Packard.
In total, companies founded by Stanford alumni make $2.7 trillion each year.
The university is often referred to as “the Farm” because the campus was built on the site of the Stanford family’s
Palo Alto Stock Farm. The campus covers 8,180 acres, but more than half of the land is not yet developed.
With distinctive sand-coloured, red-roofed buildings, Stanford’s campus is thought to be one of the most
beautiful in the world. It contains a number of sculpture gardens and art museums in addition to faculty buildings
and a public meditation centre.
As might be expected from one of the best universities in the world, Stanford is highly competitive. The admission
rate currently stands at just over 5 per cent.
Of the 15,000 students – most of whom live on campus – 22 per cent are international

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT also cultivates a strong entrepreneurial culture, which has seen many alumni found notable
companies such as Intel and Dropbox.
Unusually, the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at MIT are not wholly separate;
many courses can be taken at either level.
The undergraduate programme is one of the country’s most selective, admitting only 8 per cent
of applicants. Engineering and computer science programmes are the most popular among
undergraduates.
Thirty-three per cent of the 11,000 students are international, hailing from 154 countries.
Famous alumni include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and
physicist Richard Feynman.

3. California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
Relative to the tiny size of its student population, CalTech has an impressive number of successful
graduates and affiliates, including 72 Nobel Laureates, six Turing Award winners and four Fields
Medallists.
There are approximately 2,000 students at CalTech, and the primary campus in Pasadena, near Los
Angeles, covers 124 acres. Almost all undergraduates live on campus.
Across the six faculties there is a focus on science and engineering.
In addition to Nobel laureates and top researchers, the CalTech graduate community includes a
number of politicians and public advisers, particularly in the areas of science, technology and energy.
All first-year students belong to one of four houses as part of the university’s alternative model to
fraternities. A number of house traditions and events are associated with each house.
The university has the highest proportion of students who continue on to pursue a PhD, and the trope
of the CalTech postgraduate has filtered into popular culture; all the main characters in the TV
comedy The Big Bang Theory work or study at CalTech.

4. Harvard University
Harvard University is probably the best-known university in the world, topping the Times Higher
Education reputation rankings most years.
Founded in 1636, it is the oldest higher education institution in the US.
Approximately 20,000 students are enrolled, a quarter of whom are international. Although the cost of tuition is
expensive, Harvard’s financial endowment allows for plenty of financial aid for students.
The Harvard Library system is made up of 79 libraries and counts as the largest academic library in the world.
Among many famous alumni, Harvard can count eight US presidents, 157 Nobel laureates, 14 Turing Award
winners and 62 living billionaires.
Unlike some other universities at the top of the list, Harvard is at least equally reputed for arts and humanities as
it is for science and technology, if not more so.

5. Princeton University
Like Harvard, Princeton is a prestigious Ivy League university with a history stretching back more
than 200 years.
Princeton’s distinctive social environment includes private “eating clubs”, which function as both
social houses and dining halls. Many of the clubs are selective and competitive, but others
simply require undergraduates to sign up.
Fewer than 8,000 students are enrolled at Princeton, and just over a quarter are international.
Princeton’s campuses, in New Jersey, are located about an hour away from both New York City
and Philadelphia.

Education system of usa

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