USA - education

USA

The system of education is different in the individual states of the USA. The government gives money to schools, but has only little control over the curriculum. The schools are controlled by elected school boards. These school boards are elected by the people. The quality of education at the different schools depends on this board. This creates large differences between schools.
The beginning of the school year is different in each state, the end is usually in May or June. The school year is divided into three terms or quarters. At the end of each year the students get a transcript.
The schools are divided according to the different stages into pre-school and elementary, secondary, and higher.
According to the way of financing, the schools are divided into two types. The first are the public schools, which are financed by the state. These schools are free of charge. The second type are the private schools. To be educated there, the students must pay very high tuition[1] fees, and therefore they are attended mostly by the children of the rich families. All schools offer scholarships. The schools, which are sponsored by organisations, are much cheaper. Some schools still remain single-sex. In the USA the pupils usually wear uniforms.



Pre-school and elementary
Pre-school education includes nursery and kindergartens, which take children until the age of 5 or 6. Most of these institutions are private.
The compulsory education begins at the age of 6. Elementary (6-11) and secondary education is compulsory. A year is called a GRADE. Basic subjects are taught at the elementary schools.


Secondary education
Over 90% of students study until they reach the age of 18. These studies are provided by the Middle Schools (11-14) or High Schools. High schools are divided into Junior High (12-15) and High School (15-18). In some places it is possible to visit specialised courses or get a level of academic degree known as track secondary schools (science, navy, arts). The students of high schools can choose several subjects (history, English, math). Some schools offer different programs. High schools organise a lot of programs outside the classroom. Most of them have their own football or baseball team, or a choir or band.


Qualification
When leaving school, the US students are awarded a High school diploma. The national examination for entering the college is called Scholastic Aptitude Test. After the secondary school they can go either to a state-funded or a private college or university.


Higher Education
One third of the students continue their higher education in institutions such as Community colleges, Vo-techs, Universities, Colleges, or Technical colleges.
The Community Colleges are for people with a High School Diploma. After two years they are awarded the Associate of Arts degree. They receive a semi-professional (vocational) education.
The Vo-techs are vocational technical schools. The courses take from 6 months up to 2 years. After finishing there, the students usually take up employment.

Universities and Colleges
The applicants[2] to these schools are selected on the bases of a high-school transcript[3] and teacher’s recommendation. Sometimes they can require further test results. They offer undergraduate courses taking 4 years. After the successful completion of their course, the students are awarded a Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science). Some universities also award the Master’s degrees in humanities and science after 3 years of study, and Doctoral Degrees after 5 years of study.
The best-known universities are Harward, the Yale University, and the Princeton University. 25 % of all universities and colleges are private. Each university has a different curriculum. The students must choose major subjects and elective or minor subjects.

[1] ) dozor, ochrana, školné
[2] uchazeč, žadatel
[3] opis