Millenials and Fillennials (Ethical Challenge and Responses).pptx
American Education System
1. +
The American Education System
21 December 2011
Ariana Tobin: Fulbright English Fellow
Danielle Montagne: English Language Fellow
2. + Objective:
During today’s lecture, we will discuss:
The American Public School System (K-12)
[A Brief] History of Education in America
The goals/learning objectives of Public Schools in America
Traditional Structure/Variations in Public School Structures
American Public Elementary, Middle and High School
Teacher/Student Case Studies
Alternative Education Options (K-12)
Contemporary Social Issues in k-12 Education
Follow up Discussion Questions & Student Questions
3. +
Warm Up Questions…
The American Public School System
What do you know about the American Education system?
Are there any stereotypes about American education or American
students that you know of?
How/where have you learned information about the American School
system?
How do you think American school system differs from the
Belorussian School system?
How do you think the American School system is similar to the
Belorussia School system?
4. +
The American Public School
System (K-12)
History of the American Public School System
The first American schools in the thirteen original colonies opened in
the 17th century.
Established for wealthy families who could afford to send their
children to school.
One room school houses would often serve primary, middle and high
school age students.
For most families, literacy and mathematics education was done in the
homes—often by mothers –during America’s early history.
Education for women, African Americans and non-English speaking
immigrants was limited or outlawed until the 20th century.
5. + History of the American Public School System
After the American Revolution, an emphasis was put on
education:
Especially true in the northern states, which rapidly
established public schools.
By the year 1870, all states had free public elementary schools.
Private academies flourished in the towns across the country, but
rural areas (where most people lived) had few schools before the
1880s.
By 1900, the US population had one of the highest literacy in the
world.
Education seen as necessary for developing intelligent American
citizens capable in participating in all social and political realms of
life.
7. +
Modern goals of the American Public School System
Education is often seen as a means to deliver equality to all
American citizens.
K-12 Education is compulsory for all American children.
Education is mainly provided by the public sector and funded by
the federal, state and local governments.
School curricula, funding, teaching, employment, and other policies
are set through locally elected school boards who have control over
a specified school district.
The modern goals of the American education system is to develop:
A well-rounded individual prepared with
critical thinking skills
problem solving skills
creativity when approaching real life situations.
8. +
Traditional Structure of the American School
System (K-12)
The American School system traditionally consists of:
Pre-school (age 3-5) –not compulsory
Primary School/Elementary School
Kindergarten (age 5-6)
Grades 1-6 (ages 6-12)
Middle School
Grades 7-8 (ages 12-14)
High School
Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
10. +American Primary/Elementary Schools
Public Elementary School teachers instruct between 20-30 students
of diverse learning needs.
A typical classroom will include children with a range of learning needs
or abilities, from those identified as having special needs (special education) to
students non-native English speakers (ESL students).
Each local school district gives each teacher a book to give to the students for
each subject, and brief overviews of what the teacher are expected to teach.
Learning standards are identified for all areas of a curriculum by individual
States, including those for mathematics, social studies, science, physical
development, the fine arts, and reading.
Elementary School teachers are trained with emphases on human cognitive and
psychological development and the principles of curriculum development and
instruction.
Teachers typically earn either a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Early Childhood
and Elementary Education.
Certification standards for teachers are determined by individual states.
13. + Case Study: Typical Day of American Primary
School Teacher
A typical teacher works 8 hours, 5 days a week, at the same
school. [September-June]
Federal Holidays and Summer Vacations off from work.
Primary school teachers traditionally teach the same group of students
(20-30 students) for the full day.
Courses include: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies.
Teachers often have one (40-45 minute) break or “preparation period”
during the day.
Students receive classes from a different teacher—Music, Art, Gym
(sports), Drama, Chorus, etc.
Teachers must have one lunch break (40-45 minute) during the day.
Many teachers stay after school to participate in extracurricular
activities for students or provide additional teaching time.
14. +Case Study: Typical Day of American Primary
School Student
School begins in early September through the end of June.
Most students arrive to school by a big yellow school bus.
Students generally attend all classes in the same classroom with the same
group of [diverse] students.
Students are taught strategies of working independently, in groups and in
partners during the school day.
Students usually have “recess” during the school day and often spend time
on a playground with their friends.
Being sent to the “principals office” is seen as a major punishment.
Elementary school students are sent home with 30 minutes to 1 ½ hours of
homework each night (depending on grade level).
Extracurricular activities are popular for older elementary school
15. +
American Secondary Schools: Middle School
Middle School include the grade levels intermediate between
elementary school and senior high school.
"Middle school" usually includes seventh and eighth grades
"Junior high" typically includes seventh through ninth grade.
At this time, students are given more independence:
Having different teachers for each subjects.
Taking on more independent homework assignments and
projects.
Moving to different classrooms for different subjects
being allowed to choose some of their class subjects
(electives).
18. +
American Secondary Schools: Senior High School
Senior High School is a school attended after middle school/
junior high school.
The term “High school” is often used instead of senior high school
High school usually runs either from 9th through 12th grade.
The students in these grades are commonly referred to as:
freshmen (grade 9)
sophomores (grade 10)
juniors (grade 11)
seniors (grade 12).
students take a broad variety of classes without special emphasis
in any particular subject
21. +High School Curriculum
Students take a broad variety of classes without special
emphasis in any particular subject.
Curricula vary widely in quality and rigidity
Some states consider 65 (on a 100-point scale) a passing grade,
while others consider it to be as low as 60 or as high as 75.
Mandatory subjects are required in nearly all U.S. high schools:
Science (3 years of biology, chemistry and physics)
Mathematics (4 years of algebra, geometry, pre-calculus,
statistics, and calculus)
English (4 years of literature, humanities, composition, etc.)
Social sciences (3 years world and U.S. history, gov./economics)
Physical education (4 years)
Many states require a "health" course (anatomy, first aid,
sexuality, birth control)
22. + Students Choice: Elective Classes
Computers:
Word processing, programming, graphic design…
Career and Technical Training:
Business Marketing, health occupations, technology education,
publishing, journalism, public speaking, creative writing,
poetry…
Performing Arts/Visual Arts:
Choir, band, orchestra, drama, art, ceramics, photography,
dance…
Foreign Languages:
Spanish/French most common…
Advanced Placement Courses (AP): College Credit Courses
Sciences, History, Economics, Art, Etc…
23. +Extracurricular Activities in American Schools
A major characteristic of American schools is the high priority
given to sports, clubs and activities by the community, the
parents, the schools and the students themselves.
Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling within
the scope of the regular curriculum but under the supervision of the
school.
These activities can extend to large amounts of time outside the
normal school day and include:
Sports Programs—Football, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming,
Wrestling, Cheerleading, Rowing, Dance, etc.
Performing Arts—orchestra bands, jazz bands, marching bands,
choirs, school plays/drama clubs/musicals
Debate teams, Student Government, Public Awareness
Organizations, Various Clubs (Poetry Club, Photography Club,
etc.)
25. + Social Life and School Related Activities
A major characteristic of American schools is the rich social
events that are planned and organized by the high schools.
Formal Dances
Yearly Semiformal Dances
Junior Prom
Senior Prom/Senior Ball
Homecoming Day and Parade
Organized Parade
Homecoming King and Queen elected by students
Celebration at the school
Sports Activities and related social events
Football games
Bonfires and Rallys
Graduation Celebrations
27. + Study: Typical Day of American High School
Case
Teacher
A typical teacher works 8 hours, 5 days a week, at the same
school. [September-June]
Federal Holidays and Summer Vacations off from work.
High school teachers teach the same subject to:
6 groups of students (45-50 minute classes) each day OR
3 groups of students (90 minutes) every other day
Teaching specialty depends on teaching degree
Teachers often have one “preparation period” (45 minutes) during the
day.
Teachers must have one lunch break (40-45 minute) during the day.
Many teachers stay after school to participate in extracurricular
activities for students or provide additional teaching time.
28. Case Study: Typical Day of American High School
+ Student
School begins in early September through the end of June
Some student arrive to school by school bus; many others drive.
Students attend 4-8 classes each school day.
Students must remain at school for the entire day—leaving for
lunch is not allowed.
Students are taught strategies of working independently, in groups
and in partners during the school day.
Students usually have “study hall” during the school day and to
prepare for classes, study for exams or meet with teachers.
High school students are sent home with 2 to 3 hours of homework
each night (depending on grade/skill level).
Many students stay after school to participate in sports, clubs and
other extracurricular activities.
29. +
Alternative forms of Education
Home schooling
In 2007, approximately 1.5 million children were home ]
schooled: 2.9% of all children.
Often associated with religious groups.
Private Schools/Private Academies
Funded solely by student tuition.
Offer more specialized courses.
Parochial School
Run by church organizations.
Funded by student tuition and petitioner contributions.
Charter School
Funded by both private funds and public funds.
Stricter control over enrollment—controversial.
30. + Modern Social Issues in American
Education
Educational issues in the United States center on curriculum,
funding, and control.
Funding
U.S. is tied for first place with Switzerland for annual spending per
student: two countries spending more than $11,000 USD
U.S. public schools lag behind the schools of other developed
countries in the areas of reading, math, and science.
No Child Left Behind Act– George W. Bush : Gives government
the right to withhold funding if it believes a school, district, or even
a state is improving standardized test scores.
Tracking
Dividing students into learning groups based on classifications of
“above average”, “average” or “below average”
Separating ESL students and Special Education students from
mainstream classrooms.
31. +
Modern Social Issues in American
Education
English in the Classroom
Questions on how to best accommodate for non-English
speaking students and parent interest in foreign language
instruction.
ESL programs vs. Bilingual programs
Dual Language Programs
Nationwide Education Content and Education Quality
Different content, grade systems and quality across the nation
Textbook Review and Adoption
Evolution in Kansas
Violence and Drug Use
Preventing violence and drug abuse in schools
Education regarding violence, sex and drug abuse
32. +
Questions or Comments?
Please ask me any questions about today’s lecture topic, my
personal background or any other question you might have.
Contact Information
Danielle Marie Montagne
Email: d.m.montagne@gmail.com
Please feel free to contact me anytime with any questions, assistance
or guidance you need in any class.