National patterns of education in Great Britain and the USA.

Educational system of any country is integrally related to the values and assumptions of the society that surrounds it. Whatever its advantages and disadvantages are, the system will retain its current general characterizations as long as the values and assumptions that predominate in the surrounding society continue to hold away. But anyway our task today is reveal national patterns of education in Great Britain and the USA.

Let’s start from American system of education. Americans believe that every citizen has both the right and the obligation to become educated. In order to develop an educated population all states have compulsory school attendance laws which require that formal schooling begins by age 6 and continue until at least age 16.

About 88% of American children receive their elementary and high education in the nation’s public schools. The schools have some important characteristics in common. They do not charge tuition and are required to follow some state guidelines regarding. They are co-educational as well. Public schools are not sectarian.

About 12% of American children attend private schools. They can be divided into two categories: parochial (supported by a particular religious group) and secular (non-religious). Public schools charge tuition and are not under direct public control.

Before the age of 5 children can attend nursery schools or day care attendance, where they are looked after while their parents are at work. In most areas free public education begins with kindergarten classes for five-year-olds. The primary purpose of kindergartens is socialization. After kindergarten American children begin their academic studies. Their schooling is divided into 12 academic levels called grades.

The first academic institution that a student attends is called elementary school or grammar school. In some school systems elementary includes kindergarten through 8^th grade, and the next four years are called high school. In other school systems there is a third division called junior high school (or middle) usually including grades 6 through 8. During the elementary school years students are grouped into classes and each group stays together for the entire school day and the entire school year. The classes have the same teacher for most subjects. Its programmes include music, art.

Grammar schools teach language, arts, social studies, mathematics, science, PE and health.

High school subjects are more specialized: English grammar, literature and writing, American history, European history, psychology, algebra, geometry, a foreign language. In high school students move from classroom to another and study each subject with a different teacher and a different group of students. Many high schools have a tracking system which groups students according to academic ability and motivation.

Americans deeply believe education is the best vehicle for individual and social advancement. Improving the basic school system is one of the nation’s top priorities. But it is a consolation to remember that for most young Americans formal education does not end with high school graduating.

The legal basis of the educational system in the UK until 1988 was the educational act of 1944. it prescribed the duty of government, LEAs and parents in a system which is still compulsory for those aged 5 to 16. Nursery education is provided in nursery schools, day nurseries and pre-school playgrounds for children from 2 to 5.

Most children start school at the age of 5 in a primary school and go on it till 11-12. a primary school may be divided into two departments – infants (5-7) and juniors (7-12). In infant schools children are engaged in playing activities while in junior schools children have set periods of arithmetic, reading and composition. They are graded.

There is usually a move from primary to secondary school at the age of 11. Until 1960s there existed the tripartite system of secondary schools. But for years it was under assault. In early 70s by the Labour government the 11+ exams were abolished and most secondary schools were organized on comprehensive lines. Comprehensive schools admit children without reference to ability or aptitude. They provide courses that focus on practical skills considering them essential for the world we live in.

But comprehensive schools didn’t satisfy the society and that lead to school reform in the 80s. - GCE O-levels and CSEs were replaced with GCSE taken at 16. - AS level exam, the National Curriculum, a programme of Records of Achievements was introduced. For sure advantages of the system are evident but there is no perfect thing in the world. So the system should not behind the time and continue its mastering.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 1258