Education in the United States

In the early industrial era the expansion of public education

was a response to the transformation of society from
agricultural to industrial and urban.

From the Puritans to the Age of Immigration

 The Boston Latin School was founded in 1635.
 German settlers in New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Maryland also sponsored
elementary schools closely connected to their
churches.
 The Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula founded the
first North American school for girls in French New
Orleans in 1727.

In the age of mass Eastern and Southern European

immigration from 1880 to 1924 education was also about
the assimilation or Americanization of new groups. In each
of these periods education was also about mechanisms for
social control in a society undergoing cultural and
demographic change.

The first American schools in the thirteen original colonies

opened in the 17th century. Established for wealthy families
who could afford to send their children to school. One
room school houses would often serve primary, middle and
high school age students.
For most families, literacy and mathematics education was
done in the homes—often by mothers –during America’s
early history.

Education for women, African Americans and non-English

speaking immigrants was limited or outlawed until the 20th
century.

History of the American Public School System:

After the American Revolution, an emphasis was put on

education: Especially true in the northern states, which
rapidly established public schools. By the year 1870, all
states had free public elementary schools. Private
academies flourished in the towns across the country, but
rural areas (where most people lived) had few schools
before the 1880s. By 1900, the US population had one of
the highest literacy in the world. Education seen as
necessary for developing intelligent American citizens
capable in participating in all social and political realms of
life.

Modern goals of the American Public School System

 Education is often seen as a means to deliver equality
to all American citizens.
 K-12 Education is compulsory for all American
children.
 Education is mainly provided by the public sector and
funded by the federal, state and local governments.
  School curricula, funding, teaching, employment, and
other policies are set through locally elected school
boards who have control over a specified school
district.

The modern goals of the American education system is to

develop:
 A well-rounded individual prepared with critical thinking
skills
 Problem solving skills
 Creativity when approaching real life situations.

Traditional Structure of the American

School System (K-12)
The American School system traditionally consists of:

Pre-school (age 3-5) not compulsory

Kindergarten (age 5-6)
Primary School/Elementary School Grades 1-6 (ages 6-12)
Middle School Grades 7-8 (ages 12-14)
High School Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)

American Primary/Elementary Schools

Public Elementary School teachers instruct between 20-30
students of diverse learning needs. A typical classroom will
include children with a range of learning needs or abilities,
from those identified as having special needs (special
education) to students non-native English speakers (ESL
students).

Elementary School teachers are trained with emphases on

human cognitive and psychological development and the
principles of curriculum development and instruction.

American Secondary Schools

Middle School include the grade levels intermediate
between elementary school and senior high school.
 "Middle school" usually includes seventh and eighth
grades.
 "Junior high" typically includes seventh through ninth
grade.

At this time, students are given more independence: Having

different teachers for each subjects. Taking on more
independent homework assignments and projects. Moving
to different classrooms for different subjects, being allowed
to choose some of their class subjects (electives).

Extracurricular Activities in American Schools

A major characteristic of American schools is the high
priority given to sports, clubs and activities by the
community, the parents, the schools and the students
themselves.
Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling
within the scope of the regular curriculum but under the
supervision of the school. These activities can extend to
large amounts of time outside the normal school day and
include: Sports Programs—Football, Basketball, Soccer,
Swimming, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Rowing, Dance, etc.
Performing Arts—orchestra bands, jazz bands, marching
bands, choirs, school plays/drama clubs/musicals Debate
teams, Student Government, Public Awareness
Organizations, Various Clubs (Poetry Club, Photography
Club, etc.)

The politics and economics of education in the U.S.

Political debate
 “No Child Left Behind” – data driven environment
 School choice
 Private school vouchers
 Sources of funding
 Federal
 State
 Local school district
 Private funds
 Schools receive a combination of funds
 Funding may be de-centralized

Alternative forms of Education

 Virtual School – popular in rural areas, high school
credit recovery and students who need more flexible
schedules
 Home schooling
  In 2007, approximately 1.5 million children were home
schooled: 2.9% of all children.
 Often associated with religious groups.
 Private Schools/Private Academies
 Funded solely by student tuition.
 May offer more specialized courses or special needs.
 Parochial School
 Run by church organizations.
 Funded by student tuition and petitioner contributions.
 Charter School
 Funded by both private funds and public funds.
 Stricter control over enrollment (entry and continued)

Educator Credentialing and hiring

Teachers
 Bachelor’s Degree (4 yr) plus state exam for grade
level or content level. Additional certifications may be
added by coursework and exam in Special Education,
English as a Second Language, Gifted and Talented,
Bilingual, etc.
 Depending on the state, may be unionized to advocate
for benefits and salaries
 Usually hired by principal and/or committee of school
stakeholders
 Appraisals of performance based on student
achievement
 Usually one-year contracts
 Some states offer tenure to highly effective teachers
 Retirement benefits vary by state
 Not paid during summer
Administrators
Principals require teacher credential PLUS minimum 3
years experience as a teacher, master’s degree, state exam
 Depending on the state, may be unionized to advocate
for benefits and salaries
 Usually hired by superintendent and/or committee of
school stakeholders
 Appraisals of performance based on student
achievement, surveys, discipline referrals
 Usually one-year contracts

Superintendents may require teacher credential PLUS

principal credentials PLUS superintendent exam
 Not unionized
 Usually hired by local school board of trustees
 Appraisals of performance based on district data,
budget and community satisfaction
 Usually 1 to 3-year contracts – characteristically high
turnover rates

Typical Day of an American Elementary School Teacher

 A typical teacher works 8 hours, 5 days a week, at the
same school. [August/September-June]
 Federal Holidays and summer vacations off from work.
 Primary school teachers may teach the same group of
students (20-30 students) for the full day or the
campus may be departmentalized – usually at testing
grades (3rd and up)
 Courses include: Reading, Writing, Mathematics,
Science, Social Studies.
 Teachers have one (40-45 minute) planning period
during the day.
  Students receive classes from a different teacher—
Music, Art, Gym (sports), Drama, Chorus, etc. during
the teacher’s planning period
 Teachers meet weekly during the day to discuss
students and curriculum called Professional Learning
Communities (PLCs)
 Teachers must have one lunch break (30 minute)
during the day.
 Many teachers stay after school to participate in
extracurricular activities for students or provide
additional teaching time.

Social Issues in American Education

 English Acquisition
 Debate on how to best accommodate for non-English
speaking students and parent interest in foreign
language instruction.
 ESL programs vs. Bilingual programs
 Dual Language Programs

 Common Core - Nationwide Education Content and

Education Quality
 Different content, grade systems and quality
 Textbook Review and Adoption

 Other Issues
 Education regarding violence, sex and drug abuse
 GLBTQ – Social issues and integration
 Support students who are working
Post-secondary Education Options
 Public/private universities and colleges
 Community colleges and vocational schools
 Rising Cost of Tuition for higher education/school
loans

Community Involvement in Education

 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher
Organization (PTO)
 Site-based Decision-Making Committee (SDMC)
 Booster Clubs
 Fundraising – festivals, raffles, sales
 School Boards elected to oversee district schools