The Educational Structure

Elementary and High Schools

The educational history of the United States has certain peculiarities of its own which are closely connected with the specific conditions of life in the New World and the history of American society. The first white settlers who came to North America from Europe in the 17th century brought with them the educational ideas most typical of the countries they represented. Intensive political, economic and legal struggles in connection with all kinds of educational problems were carried on throughout most of the 19th century.

Now the Constitution of the USA does not refer to education specifically, nor does it assign the federal government any power in that field. Education remains primarily a function of the states. The actual control of a school system in each state belongs to the Board of Education.

American education is intended to be more practical and less "academic". In the USA there are two major divisions in the elementary and secondary school system: public schools and private schools. The majority of American children attend the state supported public schools which are open to everyone without a selective examination at a secondary level. Of course in America they also have private high and even elementary schools where the fee is high and children are accepted on the results of an entrance examination. There are eight years of elementary and four years of secondary schooling there. A child enters the first grade at the age of six. Having finished the eighth grade he enters the high school.

The program of studies in the elementary school includes English, arithmetic, geography, history of the USA, elementary natural science. Physical training, music, drawing and manual training are often taught. Religious teaching is officially not permitted, although the exercises of the day are often opened with a reading from the Bible and the singing of a hymn. In elementary schools children remain in one classroom for instructions in all courses by one teacher, in high schools the students go to different rooms and teachers for different courses.

The junior high school continues some elementary subjects, but it also introduces courses in mathematics and science and usually gives students their first chance to study a foreign language. Although there are some technical, vocational and specialized high schools in the USA; the typical high school is comprehensive in nature. The objectives of the comprehensive high school are to provide:

1. General education for all students;

2. Subjects useful to those who will leave high school for employment or marriage;

3. Necessary preparatory education for those planning to enter colleges and universities.

Both public and private schools possess a high degree of autonomy in organizing and developing their educational programs. In the last quarter of the 18th century a substantial number of private schools and academies were founded. Modeled after the English academy, these schools were usually residential, with curriculum pointed towards preparation for college. They have been known as Independent Schools. These schools have considerable prestige today and attract many more applicants than they can accept as students.

Higher Education

Higher education is provided by colleges and universities. The main difference between them is that a university is a collection of colleges each of which specializes in a different field. A junior college usually offers courses related to local industry, agriculture or crafts. Each college or university in the USA determines its own entrance policies. Some admit any high school graduate with appropriate preparatory subjects and consider themselves "open door" institutions, giving everyone an opportunity to learn. Other institutions are highly selective and competitive, admitting only a small proportion of the many qualified candidates. Most public colleges and universities charge tuition, as do private institutions. If the student is living away from home he must add to his tuition fee room and board expenses.

The academic year is usually of nine months duration, or two semesters of four and a half months each. Classes usually begin in September and end in June. In the typical American liberal arts college the first two years are devoted to "general" education. This program consists of English literature and composition, a foreign language, science, social science and mathematics. During one semester, a student studies four or five different subjects. The students’ progress is often evaluated through quizzes (short oral or written tests), term papers and a final examination in each course. Each part of a student's work in a course is given a mark which helps to determine his final grade.

College grades, determined by each instructor on the basis of class work and examinations, are usually on a five point scale, with letters to indicate the levels of achievement. '"A" is the highest mark, indicating superior accomplishment, and the letters go through B, C, D to E or F, which denotes failure.

The methods of instruction in the universities are the lecture, discussion and work in laboratory. A student is called a freshman in his first year, and in the next 3 years he is called sophomore, junior and senior. The traditional degree which crowns the college course is that of Bachelor of Arts (A.B.). After completing the 4-year college course and graduating as a Bachelor one can continue his research to get Master’s or Doctor’s degree.