The educational system of the United States
- 31 jul 2024
- 5 Min. de lectura
Actualizado: 16 ago
Education is a fundamental right and an essential condition for the development of children, adolescents, and adults. However, the rapid pace of technological change complicates the adaptation of educational systems and significantly impacts how students learn, teachers teach, and parents engage.
In all countries, a demonstrated and applied pedagogical methodology is used, tailored to their political, ideological, economic, geographic, and social conditions. This is why there is a noticeable difference between the educational systems of one country and another.
The mission of the U.S. Department of Education is to ensure equal access to education, promote educational excellence nationwide, and improve the teaching and learning system. Although there is no national education law, each state is responsible for organizing, administering, and evaluating its own educational system.
In the country, there are three types of educational institutions:
- Public Educational Centers: These are schools with free enrollment for all students.
- Private Educational Centers: These are institutions with paid enrollment for all students.
- Charter Schools: These are autonomous public and free schools.
Organization of Teaching
Education in the United States is organized by levels within the educational system, which, at the federal level, consists of:
- Preschool Education: This includes daycare and preschool. Daycare starts after the child is a few months old, and preschool can begin from the age of two. This education is not mandatory and focuses on preparing children for the school environment and developing basic social and cognitive skills.
- Elementary Education: This level, also known as elementary school, is mandatory and starts at age 5 or 6, depending on the state. It teaches fundamental skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as basic concepts in science, art, social studies, and physical education. This level is divided into grades, from kindergarten to fifth or sixth grade, depending on the school district.
- Grade 1: Children aged 6.
- Grade 2: Children aged 7.
- Grade 3: Children aged 8.
- Grade 4: Children aged 9.
- Grade 5: Children aged 10.
- Secondary Education:
- Middle School (or Junior High School): Students attend middle school from grade 6 to grade 8 and may have different teachers throughout the day. They learn subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
- Grade 6: Students aged 11.
- Grade 7: Students aged 12.
- Grade 8: Students aged 13.
- High School: This level is mandatory and classes are organized by subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (U.S. history, world history, and civics). It also helps in preparation for college and the workforce.
- Grade 9: Students aged 14.
- Grade 10: Students aged 15.
- Grade 11: Students aged 16.
- Grade 12: Students aged 17.
- Higher Education: For higher education, after finishing high school, students can choose between College and University. These terms can sometimes cause confusion among parents and students when selecting the right institution.
Differences Between University and College
- University: A university is a higher education institution authorized to confer various academic degrees, offering undergraduate (Bachelor's), graduate (Master's), and professional (Doctoral) programs in different fields of study.
- College: A college, often referred to as a community college or junior college, offers undergraduate programs focusing on specific fields of study, providing associate degrees and certifications. Colleges are smaller institutions, generally cheaper than universities, and offer two-year programs with general education, technical education, and vocational training, preparing students for immediate employment.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are approximately 7,021 universities in the United States, many of which are among the most prestigious in the world, making it the top destination for international students. Over one hundred thousand students move annually to pursue higher education due to the wide range of opportunities and the quality of teaching and learning processes.
Grading System
In the United States, education is compulsory for all students up to the age of 16, and the evaluation system in U.S. schools is expressed in both numerical and letter grades (A, B, C, D, and F), with additional symbols (+) or (-). F is the lowest grade, C is the passing grade, and A is the highest grade.
Each letter grade corresponds to specific numerical values:
- A: Represents a range between 100 and 90 points, indicating excellent performance.
- B: Represents a range between 80 and 89 points, indicating very good performance.
- C: Represents a range between 70 and 79 points.
- D: Represents a range between 60 and 69 points.
- F: Represents a range between 0 and 59 points.
Grade conversions between numerical and letter grades can vary by system, discipline, and state.
Student understanding is evaluated on a 100-point scale, based on percentages. For example, if a student correctly answers 3 out of 5 questions, they receive a numerical score of 60%. Additionally, the Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total points earned in all classes by the total credit hours, expressed on a scale from 0 to 4.0. This numerical average is converted to letters as follows:
- A: 4.0
- A-: 3.7
- B+: 3.3
- B: 3.0
- B-: 2.7
- C+: 2.3
- C: 2.0
- C-: 1.7
- D+: 1.3
- D: 1.0
- D-: 0.7
- F: 0.0
It is also important to note that evaluation standards may vary. For example, two students from different schools with the same GPA of 3.3 might be assessed differently by universities based on the rigor of their respective academic programs.
In addition to all this, there are some aspects to consider when analyzing evaluations. For example, two students from different schools who wish to enter the same university might both have a GPA of 3.3. However, one student comes from a prestigious school with rigorous academic programs, while the other comes from an average secondary school. Due to the varying standards in their education, the university might evaluate their scores differently.
Evaluation System
In the United States, the evaluation system is divided into three types of written tests:
- Tests: These are exams that cover several topics and have multiple-choice answers, lasting for the entire class period.
- Final Written Exams: These are used to measure what students have learned at the end of each semester.
- Quizzes: These are short evaluations covering material discussed in a single class, typically lasting no more than 30 minutes, and are often administered without prior notice.
It is important to explain that students can advance to the next year with a failed subject without having to repeat the course, but they must pass the failed exams. This approach allows students to continue their education without unnecessary delays. However, it is crucial that students use the time allocated for retaking these exams effectively. They should take advantage of any available resources, such as tutoring or study groups, to ensure they thoroughly understand the material.
