Text 4. School Education in the usa.

The federal government pays little attention to school education in the USA. There is nei­ther a school uniform system nor a uniform curriculum. Each state has its own system of schools. But there are some common features in the organization of school education in the country.

Schools in the USA can be divided into state, or public, and private schools. State schools are free, and private schools are fee-paying.

Elementary and secondary schools consist of twelve grades. Classes meet for about ten month a year, five days a week and five hours a day. At elementary schools children learn Eng­lish, mathematics, science, music, sports and other subjects.

Elementary education begins at the age of six, when a child goes to the first grade. Secon­dary education is offered at high schools. At the age of 14 pupils go to junior high school. At the age of 16 children leave junior high school and may continue their education at the upper grades of high school.

Besides giving general education some high schools teach some other subjects. Students choose these subjects if they want to enter colleges or universities or hope to find jobs in industry or agriculture. Many schools include classes teaching basic computer skills.

Many young people go to colleges or universities. But some students of high school don't finish it. 1% of American citizens from the age of 14 can neither read nor write.

Exercise 1. Find in the text the English for: уделять внимание; единая система школ; общая черта; государственная школа; частная школа; бесплатный; платный; класс; на­чальная школа; преподавать; предмет; среднее образование; средняя школа; окончить школу; продолжить образование; младшие (старшие) классы средней школы; общее обра­зование; поступить в колледж (университет); навыки работы на компьютере; обществен­ные науки.

Exercise 2. Transcribe the words: neither; age; uniform; feature; education; private; science; mathematics; subject; hour; junior; continue; upper; basic; citizen.

Exercise 3. True or false? Give your arguments.

1. There is a uniform school system in the USA.

2. Public and private schools are free.

3. Elementary and secondary schools consist of 11 grades.

4. Classes meet for 9 month a year.

5. Children go to school at the age of 5.

6. At the age of 14 pupils go to upper grades of high school.

7. All schools teach basic computer skills.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions.

1. Does state pay much attention to school education in the USA?

2. What types are schools in the USA divided into?

3. How long do school classes meet?

4. What subjects do elementary school pupils learn?

5. At what age do pupils go to high school?

6. What kind of education do high schools give?

Exercise 5. Translate into English.

1. Школы в США делятся на бесплатные государственные и платные частные.

2. Дети идут в начальную школу в возрасте 6 лет.

3. Начальная школа учит математике, естественным наукам, общественным наукам. музыке, спорту и другим предметам.

4. В США нет единой программы и единой системы школ.

5. Средняя школа включает средние и старшие классы.

6. Многие ученики продолжают обучение в старших классах средней школы и по­лучают общее среднее образование.