EDUCATION
HISTORICAL OUTLINE & AN OVERVIEW
Test your knowledge (p. 103)
When were the first free public schools opened in America?
In the 17th century, free public schools were opened in a number of new settlements.
What was the contribution of Horace Mann to the development of public education in the U.S.?
Horace Mann was the Secretary of Education who introduce many changes in public education that later became models for public schools all over the country. He believed that public education was the key to the nation's progress.
What is the structure of the education system in the U.S.?
There are three basic levels: Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education.
The common pattern of elementary and secondary instruction is referred to as the 6-3-3 plan. It includes:
primary education in grades 1-6
junior high education in grades 7-9
senior high education in grades 10-12
Name some Ivy League university?
Brown University Columbia University
Cornell University Dartmouth College
Harvard University Princeton University
the University of Pennsylvania Yale University
What is cultural illiteracy?
Cultural illiteracy is connected with knowledge of history, contributions, and perspectives of different cultural groups, including one's own group, necessary for understanding of reading, writing, and other media. Cultural illiteracy is a growing problem in the USA. An NBC report showed that, for example:
50% of the high school seniors could not locate the US on a world map
95% of American college freshmen could not locate Vietnam on a world map
75% of Americans responding to a nationwide survey could not locate El Salvador on a map.
What happened at Columbine High School in April 1999?
At Columbine Highs School in Colorado in April 1999 two teenage students shot dead twelve schoolmates and a teacher before committing suicide. It has been the worst tragedy of its kind in the history of American public schools. It shows the great problem which is the growing school violence.
PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Test your knowledge (p. 104)
When does pre-school education start?
Pre-school education usually begins in kindergarten classes at the age of four or five.
What skills are taught in pre-school education?
In pre-school classes children learn a number of basic skills which will be useful when they go to school, e.g. the letters of the alphabet, basic colours, shapes, etc.
What is the main feature of elementary education?
Elementary school lasts between 6 and 8 years. It targets the general intellectual and social development of children from 6 to 12 or 14 years of age. Children are taught the basic skills: reading, writing and arithmetic.
What subjects are taught in elementary school?
The subjects include English, mathematics, science (the basis of chemistry, physic and biology), social studies (geography, history, sociology and civics), music and PE. The foreign language is optional.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Test your knowledge (p. 105)
What is the structure of secondary education?
Pupils from the age of about 12 to 14 can enter secondary education and they may attend 6 years high school which is sometimes divided into junior high and senior high. Some students who have completed the 8 grade in elementary or middle school continue their education in a 4 year high school.
What courses are taught in high school?
In high school pupils take classes in all kinds of subject. Courses include English, science, social studies, mathematics and physical education. Optional subjects include foreign languages, arts or vocational training in such fields as agriculture, business, home economics, child care, care of the sick, trade and industrial education.
What grades do high school students receive?
Students are usually graded from A (excellent) to F (fail) in each course.
What extracurricular activities can high school students pursue?
High school students are involved in many extracurricular activities such as orchestras, bands, choirs, drama group, debating clubs, computer clubs, flying, swimming and many sport activities.
What are SAT and ACT?
SAT and ACT are two tests for high school students who wish to attend a college or university.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is taken by approximately 40% of high school graduates and it composed of three sections related to English language skills and mathematics.
ACT (American College Testing) is taken by approximately 40% of high school graduates and it is composed of four test: English mathematics, reading and science.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Test your knowledge (p.109)
What are the different types of U.S. institutions of higher education?
US institutions of high education include 2-year colleges (known as community or junior colleges), 4-year colleges, universities, institution of technology, vocational and technical schools and professional schools such as law and medical studies.
What are the main features of an American university?
The modern university in America is distinguished by 2 features:
an elective curriculum for undergraduates after fulfilling a set of core requirements, and
a school for graduates, who sometimes do some of the undergraduate teaching too.
What degrees can be earned at a university?
After 4 years of college:
BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree or
BS (Bachelor of Science) degree.
After another 1 or 2 years:
MA (Master of Arts) degree,
MS (Master of Science) degree,
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree,
MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree.
After another 2 or 3 years:
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree.
Name and describe a few US universities.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY was established in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is the oldest university in the US. It ranks third in the world. Harvard is particularly known for its Law, Medicine and Business Colleges. It educated many prominent political leaders, scientists and artists. The university library is one of the most comprehensive in the world.
YALE UNIVERSITY was founded in 1701 in New Haven, Connecticut. It's a residential college, the 7th in the world ranking. It educated many prominent leaders. It's a member of the Ivy League. It is famous for its large library, the Yale Art Gallery and the Peabody Museum of Natural History.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY was founded in 1746 in Princeton, New Jersey. It educated many prominent physicists, mathematicians, economists (Albert Einstein, John F. Nash) and writers (Eugene O'Neil, F. Scott-Fitzgerald, Toni Morrison). It the 9th university in the world university ranking.
TEACHER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Test your knowledge (p.110)
What are the requirements for employment as a teacher in elementary and high schools?
All teachers who teach in public elementary or secondary schools must have a licence or certificate which proves that they have proper qualifications. All states require a bachelor's degree as the minimum preparation for teaching elementary grades. Forty-seven states require a bachelor's degree as the minimum preparation for teaching in high schools, three states and the District of Columbia require five years of study or a master's degree.
What does the teacher education programme comprise?
A typical teacher education programme comprise four or five years of study. It includes academic subjects and professional courses such as methods of teaching and educational psychology. Students are also required to do teaching practice either in the college laboratory school or in a public school. Graduates of liberal arts studies may qualify for the teaching profession after completing a five-year master's degree programme.
ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
Test your knowledge (p. 110)
Is adult (or lifelong) education popular in the United States?
Adult and continuing (or lifelong) education has become more popular in recent years. Over 20 million adult Americans participate in part-time instruction in community colleges, junior colleges and universities every year. They goal is to update and upgrade their knowledge and skills.
What are the most popular courses?
The most popular courses are business administration, health care, engineering and education.
Name some other forms of adult or continuing education.
Other forms of adult or continuing education include correspondence courses, industrial training programmes and television educational programmes which earn credit.
MORE TESTS AND TASKS
TRUE OR FALSE
Carefully read each statement. If the statement is true according to information in the book, write T after it, if it is false, write F.
Try to give reasons why a statement is false.
The United States has a uniform system of education.
There are no state-subsidized schools in the U.S.A.
School education is a federal responsibility.
Children start school in the U.S.A. at the age of four or five.
School violence is a growing problem in the U.S.A.
A high school diploma entitles students to enter a university.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are standardized tests taken by U.S. high school students applying to colleges or universities.
Study at a community colleges usually lasts four years.
Yale is the oldest university in the U.S.A.
An increasing number of Americans participate in adult or lifelong education.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
The first free public schools were opened in America in the …. century.
17th) b) 18th c) 19th)
The Supreme Court's verdict in Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, was ruled in …… .
1854 b) 1954 c) 2004
Elementary school lasts ….. years.
three to four b) four to five c) six to eight
In the U.S.A. school usually begins at eight o'clock a.m. and finishes about …. o'clock.
twelve or one b) one or two c) three or four
Secondary school is usually called ….. in the U.S.A.
junior school b) high school c) college
According to recent statistic the U.S. has …………. dropout rates among the developed countries.
the highest b) one of the highest c) lowest
There are over …… universities and colleges in the U.S.A.
2,000 b) 4,000 c) 6,000
A bachelor's degree can be obtained after ….. years of study.
2 b) 3 c) 4
A community college offers a(n) ….. degree.
associate b) bachelor's c) master's
The highest grade in American colleges and universities is …..
A+ b) E+ c) D+