American Education System

American Education System
By George Babineau
Education is a social science that encompasses
teaching and learning specific skills.
Also, it is the sharing of knowledge, good

judgment and wisdom.
Education has the primary element of the sharing

of culture from generation to generation
In the United States, education is a state, not
federal, responsibility, and the laws and
standards vary considerably by state.
In most states, all students must attend

mandatory schooling starting with kindergarten,
which children normally enter at age 5, and follow
through to 12th grade, which is normally
completed around age 18.
Parents may educate their own children at home
(with state requirements), send their children to a
public school, which is “free”, or to a private
school, where parents must pay tuition (a “fee”).
Public schools are highly decentralized with

funding and curriculum decisions taking place
mostly at the local level through school boards.
After high school, students have a choice of attending
either a public or state university, a private university,
entering the workforce, or enlisting in the military.
Public universities receive funding from the federal and

state government but students still pay tuition, which can
vary depending on the university, state, and whether the
student is a resident of the state or not.
Tuition at private universities tends to be much higher

than at public universities.
American colleges and universities range from highly
competitive schools, both private (such as Harvard
University and Princeton University) and public (such as
the University of California, Berkeley and the University
of Virginia), to hundreds of local two-year trade,
technical and community colleges with open admission
policies.
The school year begins after Labor Day, a federal

holiday, in September, and concludes in May or June of
the following year.
Preschool, Nursery School, or Head Start:
Under 5 years old
Elementary School
Kindergarten: 5–6 years old
1st Grade: 6–7 years old
2nd Grade: 7–8 years old
3rd Grade: 8–9 years old
4th Grade: 9–10 years old
Middle school
High school
9th Grade (Freshman year): 14–15
10th Grade (Sophomore year): 15–16
11th Grade (Junior year): 16–17
12th Grade (Senior year): 17–18
College or University (usually four years)
Freshman: 18–19 years old
Sophomore: 19–20 years old
Junior: 20–21 years old
Senior: 21–22 years old
Some students earn their 2 year Associates

Degree and then join the workforce
Elementary school (K-5)
Elementary school,
"grade school",
"grammar school", and
"public school" are all interchangeable names.
Elementary school provides a common daily routine for

all students.
Many students in the United States ride school buses.

In Elementary school, students do not choose a course
structure, and they remain in a single classroom
throughout the school day, with the exceptions of
physical education ("P.E." or "gym") and music and/or
art classes.
Education is relatively un-standardized at this level.
Teachers receive a book, approved by the state board of

Education, to give to the students for each subject and
brief overviews of what they are expected to teach.
It is the responsibility of the teacher, in conjunction with

the local school board, to develop and teach the correct
type of curriculum for the students.
In general, an elementary school student learns basic
arithmetic and sometimes rudimentary algebra in
mathematics, as well as learning English proficiency, or
“language arts”, because of the diverse American
population, and includes basic grammar, spelling, and
vocabulary.
Social studies may include basic events and concepts

in American history, geography and world history, and in
some places state or local history; science education
and curriculum varies widely.
Middle school (Grades 6 through 8)
"Middle school", "junior high school", and "intermediate
school" are all interchangeable names for schools that
begin in 6th grade and end in 8th.
At this time, students are given class schedules where

they take classes from several teachers in a given day,
unlike in elementary school where all classes are with
the same teacher.
The classes are usually a strict set of a science, math,
English, social science courses, and a reading and/or
technology class.
Physical education or P.E. class becomes a mandatory

part of daily curriculum.
Student-chosen courses, known as electives, are also

mandated. Options like the school newspaper, annual
yearbook, school band, school chorus, and intermediate
athletics are among some choices.
High school ( grades 9 through 12)
In high school, students obtain much more control of

their education, and may choose even their core
classes.
Generally, at the public high school level, as opposed to

most other nations, students take a broad variety of
classes, without special emphasis.
The alternative is a trade, or technical high school where

Most public high schools are college preparatory schools
and teach minimum standards required for attending
college, or entering the workforce in the United States:
Science (biology, chemistry, and physics)
Mathematics (algebra, geometry, algebra II, and/or

precalculus/trigonometry)
English (including a definitive literature curriculum)

Social Science (sociology, psychology, geography,
American and world history, American and world
government, and economics courses)
Physical education (Four years)
Many states require a "Health" course in which students

learn anatomy, nutrition, and first aid; the basic concepts
of sexuality and birth control; and why to avoid
substances like illegal drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol.
There is more emphasis and choice by the student to
choose their course structure, and much encouragement
in community enrichment development (volunteering).
Options include the study of foreign language, music,

art, physical education and other school enrichment
activities while mandated, are at the option of choice of
the individual student.
Inter-school, regional and state academic and athletic

competition are among the most popular, as it earns
scholarships to major universities for gifted athletes.
California Education System
Some differences that make the California system a little
more complex and efficient than the rest of the country…
Creative funding
Reduced K-3 classroom sizes
Spanish immersion programs
Emphasis on “CIF” school sports
Advancement of the two-year community college
Cal-T grants
California Creative Funding
Some differences that make the California system a little
more advanced than the rest of the country…
A complicated system pays for the education of six

million California elementary through secondary school
students, the salaries and wages of thousands of
employees, and the construction and maintenance of
more than 8,000 California public schools.
California Creative Funding
Funding for California public schools comes from the
state, local property taxes, the federal government, the
California State Lottery, and local miscellaneous
sources such as lease income, interest, sponsorship,
and donations.
State lawmakers, within the constraints of the voter-

approved initiative, Proposition 98, determine the
amount of state revenues and local property taxes that
go to public schools.
California’s smaller K-3 classes
The state of California provided more money per student
for classroom sizes of 20 or less, and doubled the
number of elementary school classrooms by adding
classroom “pods” on the elementary school campus,
resulting in a higher cost to give the necessary
education, but resulted dramatically higher test and
aptitude scores in only 2 years.
The reward for this immediate success encouraged
additional funding to the schools to provide
after-school programs aimed at engaging young people
in enriching learning experiences.
Programs run by community organizations and
neighborhood centers, and by national youth
organizations—such as the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs,
Girl Scouts, 4–H, Campfire, and Boy Scouts—have done
just that for generations.
They have generally had only intangible ties to schools

and their programs.
Most do not operate on school grounds or have any

program-oriented contact with educators.
California’s Spanish Immersion
California has a large population of Mexican people,
legal and illegal immigrants, all subject to a free
education in our public schools.
A pilot program started in 1994 in kindergarten, has now

spread through the elementary school system state-
wide.
Learning is deeply connected to the realities of the

students' lives, their families, and their communities.
Individuals can only begin to determine their future if
they are in learning environments that address the social
issues they face, while at the same time prepare them
with academic skills.
Acknowledging, then identifying, the links between a
student's social reality and the classroom can be an
educator's most challenging task.
However, until students' voices are heard, and the

lessons educators learn about students' lives are
integrated into the classroom, there will be discord
between students and the school.
Education without the students' contribution is education
for the passive and powerless.
The transmission of education as a means to keep

students in a submissive role, eventually disables them
to make decisions about their lives.
A teacher determines what is important to learn and

transmits it to students.
With the increased number of Mexican children arriving
in the state each year, and attending our schools
created hardship because we forced them to learn
English. After all they were attending an American
school. And they couldn’t learn.
The Mexican population increase created hardship on

native speaking children, and the interaction with our
new urban residential community members.
It was decided to try a pilot program where in K-3,

children of Mexican descent would begin in an English
immersion environment, and children of American, or
European descent would attend a Spanish immersion
program.
Without much teacher training, the English speaking
students quickly learned and adapted in their new
environments learning the Spanish language through
listening, picture recognition, picture stories of Mexican
history, culture, and tradition, and consistently adding
new useful, “living” phrases they already knew.
For example…
A teacher would hold a picture card featuring a boy and

a question mark, and the word, “Donde estas…”
The teacher would repeat, and encourage repetition of

phrases like “Donde estas los sanitario?” at the same
time they hold up a picture of a toilet.
Resulting in the native speaker learning the foreign

language phrase meaning.
For example…
A teacher would hold a picture card featuring a boy and

a question mark, and the word, “Donde estas…”
The teacher would repeat, and encourage repetition of

phrases like “Donde estas los sanitario?” at the same
time they hold up a picture of a toilet.
Resulting in the native speaker learning the foreign

language phrase meaning.
Where is the toilet?

Donde Estas?
Los Sanitario?
Donde Estas Los Sanitario?
Donde Estas Los Sanitario?
Where is the toilet?

The reverse demonstrated the exact success, which
spread to every K-3 classroom statewide within only a
few short years.
Immersing the students, conditioned them to welcome

and respect a new culture, heritage, traditions and
language, which represents the model of the American
citizen, not just a descendent from another country,
but a member of the American society.
This welcomed achievement, and advancement of

education has demonstrated a more coherent passion to
study and learn throughout a students academic career.
California Interscholastic Federation
The essential elements of character building and ethics
in CIF sports are embodied in the concept of
sportsmanship and six core principles:
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring

and good citizenship.
The highest potential of sports is achieved when

competition reflects these "six pillars of character."
To promote sportsmanship and foster the development
of good character, school sports programs are
conducted in a manner that enhances the academic,
emotional, social, physical and ethical development of
student-athletes and teaches them positive life skills that
will help them become personally successful and
socially responsible.
Participation in school sports programs is a privilege, not
a right.
To earn that privilege, student-athletes must abide by

the rules and they must conduct themselves, on and off
the field, as positive role models who exemplify good
character.
The profession of coaching is a profession of teaching.
In addition to teaching the mental and physical

dimensions of their sport, coaches, through words and
example, must also strive to build the character of their
athletes by teaching them to be trustworthy, respectful,
responsible, fair, caring and good citizens.
Baseball Basketball
Field Hockey “American” Football
Gymnastics Lacrosse
Soccer Softball
Swimming/Diving Track and Field
Volleyball Wrestling
Water Polo Tennis
Golf Surfing
Roller Hockey
Two-year Community College
Smaller classes means a better education.
Smaller classes means a better education.
The California two–year “Community Colleges” have
become the alternative for high school students to
directly enter University, or enter the workforce.
It gives high school students the opportunity to continue

their education, earn their associates degree, and then
enter the workforce, or to encourage them to continue
their education to earn a four-year Bachelors degree at a
University.
University students are better prepared if they attend a
community college.
It prevents University “drop-outs”

It teaches the students “how to learn”
It shows a “desire to learn” by the students
A higher degree means more money!

California Teacher Grants
Upon achievement of a university degree in teaching

elementary or secondary students, and upon receiving
their certification and accreditation, teachers are
guaranteed a teaching position, and all of their university
loans forgiven, in return for a four year contract of
teaching
California’s master plan has demonstrated a proven
success, that the federal government passed a law
passed titled, “No child left behind.”
It creates a complex structure of teacher development,
in addition to specific standards of academic
achievement in order to receive federal funding to each
state.
Holding schools accountable for their student
development and success, or the individual school
receives no federal money.
Color Quiz
Read the word you see
Color Quiz
Red
Color Quiz
Blue
Color Quiz
Green
Color Quiz
Green
NOT the color you see
Color Quiz
Yellow
Color Quiz
Purple
Color Quiz
Pink
Color Quiz
Black
Color Quiz
Orange
Color Quiz
Brown
The End
Thank You

American Education System

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American Education System

Also, it is the sharing of knowledge, good

Education has the primary element of the sharing

In most states, all students must attend

Public schools are highly decentralized with

Public universities receive funding from the federal and

Tuition at private universities tends to be much higher

The school year begins after Labor Day, a federal

Some students earn their 2 year Associates

Elementary school provides a common daily routine for

Many students in the United States ride school buses.

Teachers receive a book, approved by the state board of

It is the responsibility of the teacher, in conjunction with

Social studies may include basic events and concepts

At this time, students are given class schedules where

Physical education or P.E. class becomes a mandatory

Student-chosen courses, known as electives, are also

In high school, students obtain much more control of

Generally, at the public high school level, as opposed to

The alternative is a trade, or technical high school where

Science (biology, chemistry, and physics)

Mathematics (algebra, geometry, algebra II, and/or

English (including a definitive literature curriculum)

Physical education (Four years)

Many states require a "Health" course in which students

Options include the study of foreign language, music,

Inter-school, regional and state academic and athletic

A complicated system pays for the education of six

State lawmakers, within the constraints of the voter-

They have generally had only intangible ties to schools

Most do not operate on school grounds or have any

A pilot program started in 1994 in kindergarten, has now

Learning is deeply connected to the realities of the

However, until students' voices are heard, and the

The transmission of education as a means to keep

A teacher determines what is important to learn and

The Mexican population increase created hardship on

It was decided to try a pilot program where in K-3,

A teacher would hold a picture card featuring a boy and

The teacher would repeat, and encourage repetition of

Resulting in the native speaker learning the foreign

A teacher would hold a picture card featuring a boy and

The teacher would repeat, and encourage repetition of

Resulting in the native speaker learning the foreign

Where is the toilet?

Where is the toilet?

Immersing the students, conditioned them to welcome

This welcomed achievement, and advancement of

trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring

The highest potential of sports is achieved when

To earn that privilege, student-athletes must abide by

In addition to teaching the mental and physical

It gives high school students the opportunity to continue

It prevents University “drop-outs”

A higher degree means more money!

Upon achievement of a university degree in teaching

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