Overview of the US Basic Education System Summary

Learning Objectives By the end of this session, you will be able to articulate the following fundamental elements of the US Basic Education System: The US education system is decentralized; there is no national curriculum Education in the US confronts many of the same challenges that exist around the world (poverty, retention, access, etc. In the US the door is always open to continuing your education Contemporary debates about education policies in the US and arguments on either side

By the end of this session, you will be able to articulate the following fundamental elements of the US Basic Education System:

The US education system is decentralized; there is no national curriculum

Education in the US confronts many of the same challenges that exist around the world (poverty, retention, access, etc.

In the US the door is always open to continuing your education

Contemporary debates about education policies in the US and arguments on either side

ACTION PLAN Part 1 “ A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” What you KNOW : There’s elementary, middle, and high school. Students can choose many courses. Methodologies vary Students don’t have to use uniforms Schools have many resources in some places

“ A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

What you KNOW :

There’s elementary, middle, and high school.

Students can choose many courses.

Methodologies vary

Students don’t have to use uniforms

Schools have many resources in some places

ACTION PLAN Part 1, cont. What you WANT TO LEARN : How are special students’ needs met? Are students able to get a job with only a high school degree? How is curriculum designed? How does the system work? Who setablishes what students have to learn?

What you WANT TO LEARN :

How are special students’ needs met?

Are students able to get a job with only a high school degree?

How is curriculum designed?

How does the system work?

Who setablishes what students have to learn?

US System of Education: Lines of Authority & Structure

“ The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved for the States respectively, or to the people” Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the constitution), was ratified on December 15, 1791.

Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the constitution), was ratified on December 15, 1791.

Teacher Certification Who certifies teachers? Each state has its own way of certifying their teachers, it has to be given by the capital of the state and it varies from state to state.

Who certifies teachers?

Each state has its own way of certifying their teachers, it has to be given by the capital of the state and it varies from state to state.

Key Dates in Primary & Secondary Education in US 1837: Common School Movement Massachusetts, Horace Mann By 1918: Every State Compulsory Elementary Education 1938: Fair Labor Standards Act (now most states compulsory to 16 or 18) 1954: Brown vs. Board of Education of Kansas (segregated schools are unconstitutional) 1965: Elementary and Secondary School Education Act (ESEA) and Title I funding 1975:Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now: Individual with Disabilities Education Act) 2001: No Child Left Behind

1837: Common School Movement Massachusetts, Horace Mann

By 1918: Every State Compulsory Elementary Education

1938: Fair Labor Standards Act (now most states compulsory to 16 or 18)

1954: Brown vs. Board of Education of Kansas (segregated schools are unconstitutional)

1965: Elementary and Secondary School Education Act (ESEA) and Title I funding

1975:Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now: Individual with Disabilities Education Act)

2001: No Child Left Behind

Fast Fact: The US Department of Education was only created in 1980. I is very different from most countries’ Ministries of Education

The US Department of Education was only created in 1980. I is very different from most countries’ Ministries of Education

US Department of Education The US Department of Education (ED) was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal acces. ED’s 4,500 employees and $71.5 billion budget are dedicated to: Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds. Collecting data on America’s schools and disseminating research. Focusing national attention on key educational issues. Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education. Source: http://www.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml?src?=gu

The US Department of Education (ED) was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal acces. ED’s 4,500 employees and $71.5 billion budget are dedicated to:

Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds.

Collecting data on America’s schools and disseminating research.

Focusing national attention on key educational issues.

Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.

Source: http://www.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml?src?=gu

Fast Fact The US has no national curriculum at any level, but…

The US has no national curriculum at any level, but…

Fast Fact US primary & secondary school is compulsory and free (public)

US primary & secondary school is compulsory and free (public)

Statistics: Schools & School Populations Enrollment Nearly 50 million students are enrolled in primary and secondary schools (near universal enrollment) 88% of students attend public schools 11% of students attend private schools 11% are English Language Learners (ELL) 36% are in free or reduced price lunch program

Enrollment

Nearly 50 million students are enrolled in primary and secondary schools (near universal enrollment)

88% of students attend public schools

11% of students attend private schools

11% are English Language Learners (ELL)

36% are in free or reduced price lunch program

Statistics: Schools & School Populations Attainment 87% of all 25-29 year olds have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). In 2007, 8.7% of US high school students dropped out. A significant percentage of the students that drop out tend to be minorities, specifically Hispanic and African American students

Attainment

87% of all 25-29 year olds have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).

In 2007, 8.7% of US high school students dropped out. A significant percentage of the students that drop out tend to be minorities, specifically Hispanic and African American students

Challenges in Primary & Secondary System Drop Out Rates Parental Involvement School Safety Discipline (no corporal punishment) Respect for teachers

Drop Out Rates

Parental Involvement

School Safety

Discipline (no corporal punishment)

Respect for teachers

Trends/Debates Pre-primary enrollment Home schooling Charter schools School vouchers ESL (immersion) vs. Bilingual (transitional) education Decline in secondary school vocational education

Pre-primary enrollment

Home schooling

Charter schools

School vouchers

ESL (immersion) vs. Bilingual (transitional) education

Decline in secondary school vocational education

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Every child achieving reading and math proficiency according to state defined educational standards by the end of 2013-14 school year. Annual state tests – Adequate Yearly Progress (low performing school, disaggregated data) Highly Qualified Teacher

Every child achieving reading and math proficiency according to state defined educational standards by the end of 2013-14 school year.

Annual state tests – Adequate Yearly Progress (low performing school, disaggregated data)

Highly Qualified Teacher

NCLB Debate Points “ It’s raising standards” “ How good are the tests?” “ It’s lowering standards” “ It’s reaching folks who are otherwise left out” “ Everyone teaches to the test” “ Funding is more flexible for local decision makers” “ The parents are responsible” “ The teachers are responsible”

“ It’s raising standards”

“ How good are the tests?”

“ It’s lowering standards”

“ It’s reaching folks who are otherwise left out”

“ Everyone teaches to the test”

“ Funding is more flexible for local decision makers”

“ The parents are responsible”

“ The teachers are responsible”

ACTION PLAN Part 1, cont. I learned that: The system is decentralized. There are many options to go on studying after college. There have been many policies attempting to improve education, especially to make it accessible to everyone. Each state has its own way of regulating education.

I learned that:

The system is decentralized.

There are many options to go on studying after college.

There have been many policies attempting to improve education, especially to make it accessible to everyone.

Each state has its own way of regulating education.