Education in the USA
PRE-READING TASKS
1. Would you like to study in America? Why? or Why not?
2. Do you think American pupils have an easier life than yours? Why? or
Why not?
READING
1. Read the text and find out what these figures and words mean.
first 16 6 3,000 12 twelfth
major credits junior college
vocational education extra-curricular activity
In the United States, education is offered at all levels from
kindergarten to graduate school by both public and private institutions. Elementary and
secondary education involves 12 years of schooling, the successful completion of which
leads to a high school diploma. Education is free and compulsory in all states, however,
from the age of 6 till 16 (or 18).
At 6 years of age children begin the first year of elementary school,
which is called grade 1 or first grade (the second year is “grade 2”, etc.). At
elementary school the emphasis is placed on the basic skills (speaking, reading, writing
and arithmetic), though the general principle throughout the American school system is
that children should be helped and encouraged to develop their own interests.
Children move on to high school in the ninth grade, where they continue
until the twelfth grade. There are two basic types of high school: one with a more
academic curriculum, preparing students for admission to college, and the other offering
primarily vocational education (training in a skill or trade). The local school board
decides which courses are compulsory. There is great freedom of choice, however, and an
important figure in high schools is the guidance counselor, who advises the students on
what courses to take on the basis of their career choices and aptitude and ability tests.
In order to receive the high school diploma necessary in most states to
get into college, students must accumulate a minimum number of credits, which are awarded
for the successful completion of each one- or half-year course. Students hoping to be
admitted to the more famous universities require far more than the minimum number of
credits and must also have good grades (the mark given on the basis of course work and a
written examination). Extra-curricular activity (such as playing for one of the school’s
sports teams, working on the school newspaper, or singing in a chorus) is also very
important in the American school system and is taken into consideration by colleges and
employers.
There are about 3,000 colleges and universities, both private and
public, in the United States. They all offer their own choice of studies, setting their
own admission standards and deciding which students meet those standards. The greater the
prestige of the university, the higher the credits and grades required.
The terms “college” and “university” are often used
interchangeably, as “college” is used to refer to all undergraduate education and the
four-year undergraduate programme, leading to a bachelor’s degree, can be followed at
either college or university. Universities tend to be larger than colleges and also have
graduate schools where students can receive post-graduate education.
During the first two years students usually follow general courses in
the arts or sciences and then choose a major (the subject or area of studies in which they
concentrate – the other subjects are called minors). Credits (with grades) are awarded
for the successful completion of each course. These credits are often transferable, so
students who have not done well in high school can choose a junior college, which offers a
two-year “transfer” programme, preparing students for degree-granting institutions.
Community colleges also offer two-year courses of a vocational nature, leading to
technical and semi-professional occupations, such as journalism.
2. Suppose you are a supporter of better comprehensive education.
State your arguments in short speech.
3. Compare the system of education in the USA and the Ukraine or
Russia. Choose the best from each of them and make a model of an “ideal” school.
Discuss your ideas with your classmates and decide whose model of an “ideal” school is
the best.
By Yelena Karpenko
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