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Brian Agnew Lawsuit is telling Education Effects in the USA.
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Education has always been of major importance in the USA Early examples (before1776): Colleges Free public schools Why? Why?
Because… Belief in education is part of the "American Dream“: Because… Education is the key to success Education provides individual opportunity and self-realization
Education creates equal opportunities Education was (is!) considered a crucial part of the Americanization process: The need to learn English The schools were (are!) shaping the American culture/ identity: Nation building. Values: "The Pledge of Allegiance". The melting pot
Education was also considered important because of… The wish to maintain Christianity Education was also considered important because of… The need for educated citizens in a democracy The need for an educated workforce in the new industries
Federal Department of Education only advisory role + financial help State/local responsibility for education State boards of education (50) Local school districts (some 16,000) Each school Each teacher / PTA
Division of responsibility: federal funding 8%, state 49%, local 43% Federal funding linked to federal standards/ recommendations, often tied to specific programs State funding varies, depending on the priorities and resources of the state Local funding is based on property taxes in most states
Advantages/ disadvantages of local financing? (Take notes!) (Take notes!) Advantages/ disadvantages of local control of textbooks and curriculum? Creationism vs. evolution Sex education Parents’ pressure (PTA)
Elementary school: 6 years (or 8 if Intermediate school is included) - start at the age of 6 High school: 6 years (3 + 3) (or 4 years after Intermediate school) - not selective Colleges and universities
Public (around 85%) Private (around 13%) = mostly religious schools Home education (2%)
RRR Grading and testing from first grade Core courses and exploratory classes After school activities
Required classes (core curriculum) Electives (“the cafeteria system”) “Tracking” + advanced courses (preparation for college) Drop-outs More practical subjects? More discipline?
Quality of US high schools: - Individualism! - Huge local/ social variations - "Honor roll“ vs. functional illiteracy Private high schools The role of sports
Grades / GPA SAT tests Entrance requirements Recommendations Application letter/essay Visiting campuses with parents Interviews "Well-rounded students"
A. Undergraduate studies 2-year college (AA/ AS) 4-year Bachelor's degree: B.A./ B.S./ B.B.A. F, S, J and S years. Grades (BrE: marks) B. Graduate studies Master's degree (1-2 years), M.A./ M.S./ M.B.A. Professional degrees: medical/ law Ph.D./ doctorate degree (3 years)
Broad knowledge (Liberal Arts) vs. specialization (as in Europe) Majors and minors Public and private colleges/universities Advantages and disadvantages? State universities The Ivy League
The wide range of subjects/ choices Continuous assessment (constant pressure) Evaluation of in-class participation Competitive atmosphere Papers and mid-terms Summer school
15 of the world’s top universities are in the USA The wide range of quality from university to university: The academic levels vary enormously A lack of academic atmosphere at some institutions – emphasis on social life
Umbrella universities Living on campus – a mini community Fraternities and sororities College athletics Social life
State universities In-state and out-of–state tuition Private universities In addition: Room and board, books
Parents Scholarships/ grants Federal grants Need-based scholarships Performance-based scholarships Athletic scholarships Student loans On-campus jobs, for instance T.A. Off-campus part-time jobs
Expectations - and disappointments Current trends – and policy debates: Too much testing? Evaluation of teacher quality Sub-standard schools may lose funding Vouchers for students to choose schools Does competition improve quality?
