12) Historical background of American education. Pre-school and primary education.

When colonists 1^st arrived to America they had to decide upon the question of education. The answer was the town school. Every town was supposed to hire a schoolmaster to teach reading writing, arithmetic, religion. Larger towns were required to have Grammar school to prepare students for University. At the University level Harvard, Mass. Was founded in 1636. And in 1693 William and Mary University, VA, was set up. Schooling at that time meant not only preserving parts of classical education and cultural heritage of colonists, but also teaching skills necessary to build a new North American nation. The Americans borrowed freely from the English, German, and French schools.

Today’s system of school education comprises 3 basic levels – elementary, secondary, and higher. Parents may choose whether to send their children to free public schools, or to private ones which charge fees. The Curricula and organization of public schools are similar to those of private ones, only the administration differs. Thru the transfer of students and many other contacts, private and public schools maintain cooperative links. The vast majority of students go to public schools and most of private schools are church sponsored. The school year is usually 9 months, from early September till mid June. The most common pattern of organization is the 6-3-3 plan. It includes elementary school from grades 1 thru 6, junior high grades 7 thru 9, and senior high grades 10-12. In different states the patterns may be different, like the 8-4, 6-4-2. But the 6-3-3 is the most common.

A child’s introduction to formal education begins in kindergarten classes. They are operated in most public school systems. Many of them also provide nursery schools. The age group is mostly 4-5 years. Preschool education programs maintain a close relationship with the home and parents. The programs are flexible, designed to help the child grow in self-reliance, learn to get along with others, and form good work and play habits.

The main purpose of the elementary school is to give the child the general intellectual and social development. Students stay in the elementary school 6-12 years of age. Promotion from one grade to the next is based on the child’s achievements of specified skills in reading writing spelling, arithmetic, geography, history, music and art.

13) Secondary education in the usa

There are 3 levels of secondary education, 3 programs.

The academic program is designed to prepare students for college. Among the subjects added to the core are more advanced math and science courses and foreign languages

The vocational program gives training in 4 fields either for employment or further training

Agricultural education prepares students for farm management and operation

Business education trains students for the commercial field

Home economics prepares students for home management, child care and care of the sick

Trade and industrial education provides training for jobs in mechanical, manufacturing, building and other trade

General, or comprehensive program provides features of the academic and vocational types. Its courses give an appreciation of various trades and industrial arts rather than train students for specific jobs. Those who don’t expect to go to college or enter a particular trade immediately, often follow the general course.

Most young Americans graduate from high school with a high school diploma upon the satisfactory completion of a specified number of courses. Students are graded from A (EXCELLENT) to F (FAILURE). Twice a year students receive report cards which indicate the grades they have received in each of the subjects they study. High schools maintain a school transcript which summarizes the courses taken and the grades obtained for each student during the junior and senior high.

During the 8^th and 9^th grades students begin to plan their career and to select the subjects which will be useful for the chosen work. To help the students do it better and more successfully, guidance counseling is set up. It continues thru senior high and in junior college. College bound students generally take admission college tests during their last two years of high school. Tests are administered by education testing service (ETS) and American college testing program. Test are mostly multiple-choice. Test scores added to high school transcripts and recommendations from teachers form the basis for college acceptance. The popular motto is “Keep the school doors open and school buildings in use all year round”. So courses are prepared in summer for those who want to learn something new, or prepare for college.