Understanding The American Education System - A Brief Overview
Education is a fundamental right that all humans should have access to. It serves as a gateway for an individual's development and achievement. When it comes to education, The United States of America is one of the most appealing countries in the world for people who want to live and work abroad. Apart from unparalleled trip attractions, it is the best place for higher education too. The American Education System is one of the prominent systems that provides a diverse range of options. They have so many options that it can become overwhelming for American students too. The system in the United States is made up of over 4,000 authorized institutions that are not centrally organized or governed; rather, they are authorized on a national or regional basis by independent accrediting agencies.
Before you plan to get yourself enrolled in a school in the US, it is crucial to be familiar with the American Education System. Knowing the system will assist you in narrowing your options and developing your educational strategy. Also, by choosing the right school, course, or university one can get a proper level of knowledge and enjoy a promising career. Although there is no designated education system in the United States, it is more of a fund education. But every state takes full responsibility for education in their specific area. All 50 states are directly responsible for the education they provide at their respective institutions. Still, they have a traditional structure that guides all the states.
If you are wondering how school works in America and what to consider before applying, here is a brief overview of all the important information. This article will discuss the American Education System in detail and help all the readers understand how different it is from other countries. Here’s a rundown on the education system of the US.
American Education System: How school works in the US
In the United States of America, formal education is divided into distinct educational phases. In general, a child begins their academic career at the age of 3-5. However, at times, they may start early by going to pre-kindergarten.
To help you better understand how school works in America, we have created this table. This table displays the traditional education path of a student.
Primary Or Elementary Level
The first level that students in America are required to do is primary or elementary. The motive of this schooling is to deliver children with basic knowledge. The academic subject courses at this level usually consist of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. The educational learning at this stage is usually just a small portion of the total time; however, a considerable amount of the school day is frequently spent in obligatory non-academic classes. This is usually to make children creative and help them expand their horizons. A student enters this level of education at the age of 5-6 and stays there for the next six years.
Secondary Level
The next step of the American Education System is the Secondary Level. Academic courses at this level continue to play an essential role in the curriculum through Junior or Middle school and High school. Every student who completes elementary schooling enters secondary school and is awarded a certificate or diploma upon graduation from high school (12th Grade). Despite a great system, the only drawback of this level of education is a decrease in the emphasis on academic courses. Because of too many curricular and extracurricular alternatives, the classes focus less on educational subjects.
Higher Education
Post high school comes the higher education phase of the American Education System. This is an optional stage of formal learning that includes college or university. It is further classified into four levels, starting with Diploma, Undergraduation, Post Graduation, and finally Doctorate degree. Higher education takes up a minimum of three to four years or more, as per the passion for learning.
Academic Year Under American Education System
The academic calendar in the United States traditionally begins at the end of August or early in September. They are further promoted to the next class upon reaching the end of each school year in late May or early June. Hence, in short, the academic year under the American Education System is from August/September to May/June.
One academic year in the United States is classified into two terms known as semesters. However, some schools have a three term calendar which is known as the “trimester” system.
American Education System Grading Scale
Schools in the United States assess children at different intervals, throughout the year. Like other countries, teachers prepare a report card which is then presented to parents. The grade book consists of scores of a student in individual assignments and tests along with the maximum scores, which dictates how well they have performed during the tenure. These markings are usually given in the form of letter grade which ranges from A to F. What letter a student gets will depend on the scored percentage either by answering the questions correctly or by displaying that the course requirements are all met.
To make you better understand the system, we have added a list of the percentage and their respective grade.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = <60%
Note: Students who score any grade from A to D will be considered Pass while the one who scores F will be marked as Fail. Also, there’s no E grade in the American Education System as many times parents misunderstand that grade E stands for “excellence.”
While this grading system seems easy, the American Education System is not that simple. In most schools or colleges, individual assignments are usually marked with the above-mentioned grades. However, some use grades called quality points which further helps in calculating GPA. GPA is a standardized measure of academic performance which is provided as an overall grade of a student. This GPA usually ranges from 4.0 to 2.5. Students who pass with high grades get GPA close to 4.0 while those who struggle score around 2.5 or 3.0. Getting a good GPA is of utmost importance as it helps in getting scholarships, a good college or university for a master’s degree, getting a job, and more.
Pros Of American Education System
- Diversity
The United States is a vast country with 50 states. In such a country, you can expect a wide array of courses and majors available, with English being the universal language. Among so many options, one can choose any topic of study in any institution. Aside from the diversity of courses, the American Education System comprises more than 32% of international students. This creates a diversified and varied environment with a blend of cultures.
- Flexibility of Education
The American Education System is one of the most diverse systems in the world. With English as the predominant language, a student can pick any field of study as per their interest. The universities in the country encourage students to experiment and get a taste of different courses. This is one of the significant reasons why education in the United States is valued.
- Opportunity To Grow
Due to high academic standards, the collegiate experience under the American Education System can be perfectly described as highly interactive and practical. The schools, colleges, and universities here are known for creating the best and brightest scholars who have in-depth field knowledge and experience. Graduates further get an opportunity to meet and interact with top-tier researchers. Also, because of the encouragement for extra-curricular activities, the students in the United States have vast opportunities to grow.
- Global Recognition
It comes as no surprise that the American Education System is highly regarded all over the world. The academic excellence of this country is practically unrivaled. The universities, as well as the students, are highly valued and have better chances to be picked by top employers. The majority of the colleges have a reputation for strong academics and a high-quality student experience.
Cons Of American Education System
- High Tuition Fees
One of the major setbacks of the American Education System is the price tag it comes with. Despite its academic excellence, the tuition fee of the system is the highest in the world. It can go up to $45-50,000 per year. Although to pay the fees, loans and scholarships are available, accessing it is not easy because of the immigration status of the international students. So, the possibility of a loan also becomes difficult.
- Complicated Admission Process
As expected, getting admission to a university or college in the United States is a difficult undertaking. When offerings are excellent, universities seek well-rounded students who excel in extracurricular activities along with academics. Applying to such universities is always a complicated process with a lot of formalities and rounds. Most universities also ask students to take standardized tests that make them eligible for their institution.
- Teaching Gap Because Of Diversity
The wide range of courses offered by the American Education System might provide a significantly diverse curriculum in different states. Since the curriculum varies from university to university, this may result in disparities and teaching gaps. This further leads to certain colleges becoming more favored by employers and hence, workforce inequality becomes prominent.
Bottom Line
We hope that this article was helpful in making you learn about how school works in America. This is all the essential information that you must know before getting yourself or your loved ones enrolled in any of the institutions in the United States. To conclude, despite the cons, the American Education System is definitely a highly praised system in the world.