Education in the U.S.
Lecturer: Ly Thi Hoang Men
content
History and development
System of education
Education philosophy
Achievements
Challenges
Beliefs and values in education
History and development
1642: first steps toward establishing a system of public school in Massachusetts
1647: Mass. passed law required every town to provide children with schools and schoolmasters
Next 40 years: all colonies followed Mass.
History and development
End of 17th century: citizens of English Colonies were to be educated; children to be prepared for conducting political, economic, and religious affairs of colonies.
After American independence in 1783: education developed rapidly (school districts, well-equipped schools, professional educators and educational administrators)

History and development
1787: Northwest Ordinance mandated each township in Northwest Territory to reserve at least a mile square for educational purpose and required each state to establish public higher education institutions.
Thomas Jefferson(1801-09) urged Virginia law makers to implement the plan for “More General Diffusion of Knowledge”.
History and development
After 1860s: education became compulsory
1870: 6.5 mill. 5-16 year olds in public schools (57% school-age children and youths)
1880: 15.5 mill. (72% school-age children and youths)
History and development
Early 20th century: teaching transformed into “women’s profession” and fundamental assumptions about American education system shaped (how schools are organized, who they serve, how they are staffed)
History and development
College & university enrollment (in million)
System of education
Structure
Education is divided into 3 stages:
Elementary education
Secondary education
Higher education
Elementary and Secondary education is compulsory
Structure
Elementary and Secondary education is free at public schools.
Higher education requires tuition fee.
Education has two sectors: public and private
Public school systems are supported by a combination of local, state, and federal government funding.
Structure
Curriculum decisions in public schools are made largely at the local and state levels by local board of education.
All public school systems are required to provide an education free of charge to everyone of school age in their districts (85% children)
Structure
Private schools may be of 2 kinds
- institutions privately owned and operated
- institutions run by religious organization
At private schools, children have to pay for education but charge rates vary depending on geographic location, the school`s expenses, and the availability of funding from sources other than tuition.
Structure
Private schools cater for different needs:
- college-bound students
gifted students
students with learning disabilities or other special needs
students with specific religious affiliations.
Structure
Higher education refers to undergraduate and graduate studies.
Undergraduate studies commonly consists of four years of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree
Structure
H.E. institutions:
- Community College (Junior College)
- Liberal Arts College
- University
- Professional School
- Institute of Technology and Technical School
Structure
Admissions criteria for undergraduate studies at college or university are:
- Rigorous curriculum in high school
- Students’ GPA
- Class ranking
- Standardized test scores (Such as the SAT or the ACT tests).
Essay
Other achievements
Interview
Structure
Graduate studies are conducted after obtaining an initial degree and sometimes after several years of professional work leading to a more advanced degree such as a Master`s degree or a Doctor’s degree (Ph.D. or others).
Structure
Entrance into graduate programs usually depends on:
- Student`s undergraduate academic performance
- Professional experience
- Standardized test scores: GRE(general), GMAT(business), LSAT(law), MCAT (medicine)
Education Philosophy
Education is universal
Education is decentralized
Education is comprehensive
Education is professional
Education pays attention to both intellectual development and character building
Education is of practical value

Education Philosophy
Education system is universal: Children within an age range have right to education services which are supported by public taxation.
Education system is decentralized: No federal authority to organize and oversee a national education system with a uniform curriculum requirements or uniform standards for both teacher and student qualifications. Funding and administration are responsibilities of local or state governments.
Education Philosophy
Education is comprehensive: Schools offer a variety of options that reflect the diversity of interests and abilities of students.
Education is professional: Education is managed and serviced by professional educators and administrators
Education pays attention to both intellectual development and character building: Beside rigorous academic curriculum are many extracurricular activities.
Education is of practical value

Achievements
Providing education for great proportion of population (1940: 38% 25-29 year olds got H.S. diploma & 6% got coll. Degree compared with 1985: 86% 25-29 year olds got H.S. diploma & 22% got coll. Degree)
Producing proportionately more college students than any industrial nations (1981: 32% had college education; Canada: 17.2%; Sweden: 15.5%; Japan: 14.5%)
Achievements
Assuring high quality education: Prestigious universities, Nobel prize holders and leading scientists, highly qualified labor force, international students
Offering equal opportunity for education to all citizens including the under-privileged (2003 literacy rate: 97% & 95% 14-17 year olds attend H.S.)
Minimizing discrimination: Affirmative action; federal funding; accommodation of handicapped students
Challenges
Conflicts about bilingual and multicultural education.
Inequality (rich vs. poor areas)
Existence of racial discrimination
Decline in quality in elementary and secondary education (1983 report – A Nation at Risk)


Challenges
Shortage of teaching staff esp. math and science teachers
Drop-out rates esp. among minority students
Violence and other negative practices
Beliefs & Values in Education
Education forms the foundation of democracy
Education is the means by which the values of equality of opportunity and competition are exercised
Education promotes individual freedom and self-reliance
Beliefs & Values in Education
Education realizes the values of material wealth and hard work
Education helps to fulfill American Dream
Education forms the foundation of democracy: educated citizens are able to govern the country and protect democracy.
Beliefs & Values in Education
Education is the means by which the values of equality of opportunity and competition are exercised:
- Public school system: open to all; tax-supported.
- Education ladder: climb as high as one can
Education promotes individual freedom and self-reliance:
- encourages and helps students to reach their maximum potential
- motivates people to seek higher status
- develops students’ critical thinking skills and other personal and social skills
Beliefs & Values in Education
Education realizes the values of material wealth and hard work.
Education helps to fulfill American Dream: become rich and powerful with high education.