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The American Education System
from: Kyle BesserThe education system in the United States is patterned, in part, after the education systems of Europe. When settlers moved to the United States from Europe and began to build communities, they had the task of teaching their children how to survive in this new land. Borrowing traditional methods from the countries from which they came, the settlers established schools.
Individual towns were responsible for teaching their children. This system has not changed much. Today individual states still have control over the education that their children receive. Even though states have joined together to create a uniform curriculum, it is still up to each state to be responsible for teaching the children.
Academic studies have been broken up into grade levels that children must pass to continue on through the system. As students progress through the grades, they will be challenged with subjects that will become increasing more difficult. Most schools operate under this structure.
Preschool Education
Preschool education is usually the first level where children are introduced to school. Not all children attend pre-school, but those who do are usually more ready for school. In preschool education, the focus is on very basic skills such as counting, learning the alphabet, identifying colors, singing songs and physical activities. Learning to socialize with other children is another important aspect of preschool education, especially for children who don't have other playmates.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten precedes first grade. In kindergarten children learn to communicate, play and interact with others appropriately. A teacher provides various materials and activities to introduce children to the language and vocabulary of reading, mathematics, science, music, art and social behaviors. Kindergarten helps children adjust to being apart from their parents, and is particularly valuable for children who previously have spent most of their time at home.
Elementary School
Elementary schools in the United States are also commonly called "grade schools." Grade schools offer education between the kindergarten level and a grade between 4th and 8th, depending how the school system has the grades divided. The most common grade range is kindergarten through 5th grade. Grade schools focus on the basics of reading, writing, math, science, history, art and music.
Middle School
Middle schools serve as a bridge between elementary school and high school. In some school districts "middle school" is used as an alternative name to "junior high school." Some school districts have both "middle schools" and "junior high school." Some even have "intermediate schools." How these grades are divided depends on the school district. The individual states, counties and school districts have considerable leeway in how they choose to divide their school levels.
Secondary Schools
Secondary schools are more commonly called high schools. High school is the upper level secondary school. High schools can usually be classified as general high schools, vocational high schools (VoTech schools), college preparatory high schools (prep schools) and Alternative high schools. Most high schools are general high schools. High schools offer a range of educational opportunities intended for the widest range of students possible, college preparatory classes for advanced students, general education classes for average students and remedial courses. Students can choose course levels according to their own abilities or interests.
After graduating from high school, many students elect to continue their education to prepare for specific careers by attending a trade school or college. Students who earn a bachelor's degree from a college can further their education by earning a master's and then a doctoral degree. This chronicle of higher education has not changed much over the years.
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