Introduction
Education is the passing on of knowledge, skills, and information from teachers to students. In this way, the students develop academically and become sociable with people. The American education system is unlike that in many other countries. The governance system is a federal one, the one which values local governance. This means that there is no countrywide curriculum existing in the United States.
The state and local government are primarily responsible for education. The States profoundly control what teachers teach at schools and pinpoint the requirements a student must meet at the end of any curriculum. Apart from the property taxes, the States directly provide funds to the public schools. This means that courses, subjects they learn, the age of students for compulsory education and other issues always vary depending on where the school is built and located (Kevin).
Structure of the American Education System
Public education in America is available universally. There are a number of private schools too. Every local school district controls its public schools. Boards usually run district schools. The local community elects the board members. Otherwise, it becomes the duty of the local government.
The education system in America is classified into elementary education, secondary education and postsecondary education (college or university). District schools encompass Elementary, Middle and Secondary school levels. Currently, elementary schools comprise pupils in kindergarten and grades 1-5.
In many states, children attend kindergarten starting from the age of five. It is towards the end of August that the American school year starts or the day after Labor Day in September. Grades 6-8 learn in middle schools while grades 9-12 are the students who are finishing schools to become students at high educational establishments. However, pupils’ age in these grades may not be the same in all states (Kevin).
High school (secondary) education is demanding in America. Students take a range of courses in such subject as English, science, mathematics, and social sciences. They may also select music, art, or theatre courses and include a foreign language or physical education as a requirement. “Many high schools also offer vocational training courses”. High school level “charter schools” have been recently on the increase in America.
Charter schools are free public schools that specialize in maintaining stiff competition during the enrollment process. Nowadays, there are charter schools in 40 states and the Columbia District with more than 15% of U.S. secondary pupils. Public schools may fall under several sub-schools including home schooling, parochial schools, military academies, private boarding and day schools (Kevin).
In America, education is mandatory for students until the age of sixteen according to laws of different states. “In 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 89% of people ages 18 to 24 were high school graduates” (Kevin). Most graduates from high school are at the age of eighteen or seventeen years.
To achieve the award of high school diploma, students have to pass with at least three credits per course. There is no final examination like in many other countries. Only with a high school diploma, students can enroll in postsecondary education (Kevin “np”).
On graduation from high school, pupils are then ready for university or college education. It includes several primary choices ranging from vocational colleges or institutes, Community Colleges, Liberal Arts Colleges or undergraduate programs. At the university, there are bachelor’s degrees and master’s degree programs. The selection criterion for undergraduate entries varies from one university to another, and depends on various aspects of student’s life, not mere grades.
Students select courses from different disciplines before they settle down on their main field of study. Again, for every course, credit hours are given based on the time a student was present in class. As is the case, most courses last for only one semester. By the time they have graduated, pupils have a wide knowledge for their job application. Moreover, students end up being independent, responsible citizens who are ready to serve their nation (“National Center for Education Statistics”).
Effects on the Economy
The higher education system in the country explored above has had its effects on the economy of America. Apart from creating young responsible professionals, the system has also led to the creation of an elite class over the last thirty years. Such classes create a sharp socio-economic division.
The growth of the top and bottom strata separately has seen the collapse of a single inherent social institution. As a result, universities at the top are different from those in the bottom in regard to their values, missions, teaching personnel and even the funding process (William).
The citizens’ strong belief in the validity of world’s ranking schemes has earned universities their brand names in the past two decades. Parents thus take their kids to the best-ranked institutions as they think that they will come out with better degrees than the other students from other universities.
Such institutions become prestige not taking into consideration the way the academic process is conducted. A reaction from the founder of the education conservancy, Lloyd Thacker was advised to university presidents to boycott such surveys. (Robert).
Challenges of the Education System
There are still other challenges that degrade the education system in America. Among them are high school-drop-out rates and drug abuse, among many others. There has been an increasing rate of college fees (Robert).
The schools are addressing these problems in different ways according to their areas of residence. To serve immigrants who speak little or no English at all, some states have employed more teachers for whom English is the second language. Research centers have sprout up in many states.
This serves to replenish the dwindling academic standards. Improved technology especially in the twentieth century has eased the learning process to a great deal. The internet, for instance, has helped teachers to communicate with students in a timely manner and effectively, as well as provide alternative reading materials (William).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it must be emphasized that the education system in America has stood the taste of time. The reshaping of the curriculum by the United States has built a robust and steady system. The number of college graduates has increased, and educational attainment improved tremendously. Students have ended up focusing on gaining skills but not simply begging for high grades. The “No Child Left Behind Act” has boosted school funding substantially.
Other Acts whose relentless efforts have helped the physically challenged and the disadvantaged attain their goals include “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” and “Elementary and Secondary Education Act” respectively. However, some issues affecting education remain unresolved up to date; among them are curriculum issues, funding issues and currently the inflation toll that are affecting the economy of America (Reed 1B).
Works Cited
Kevin McCrea “American Education System.” Huffingtonpost. 2012. Web.
National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2006. “Number of U.S. Colleges and Universities and Degrees Awarded 2005.” Infoplease. Web.
Reed, Matt. “Brevard cannot count on charters”, Florida Today. 2011, p. 1B. Print.
Robert Freeman, “Is Public Education Working? How Would We Know?” Commondreams. 2005. Web.
William J. Bennett, “20 Troubling Facts about American Education.” Heartlander. 1999. Web.