What american public schools teach
What american public schools teach
The American and British Systems of Education
В разработке представлены тексты для чтения об американской и британской системах образования, различия между которыми доколнительно показаны в таблице. Каждый текст подкреплён вопросами на понимание прочитанного. Также предложен текст и вопросы для обсуждения на тему «Моя идеальная школа»
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«The American and British Systems of Education»
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND
BRITISH SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
Public school (a school paid by the
Public school (an expensive private
school) (Eton, Harrow, Winchester)
Kindergarten (the first year of school
Kindergarten – nursery for children
school at the age of 5)
children aged between 5 and 11
Junior high school (12/13-14)
Secondary school (11-18)
High school (14-17)
Sixth form college
To graduate from school
To finish school
A university = a college = a school
A college does not give a degree.
A university gives a degree.
A graduate course = a course taken
A post graduate course
after graduation from the university
To be in School / College / University
To be at School / College / University
A first year student
A second year student
A third year student
A fourth year student
A semester – one of the two periods
that a year is divided into at schools
year is divided into at schools and
A quarter – one of the four main
periods a year is divided into at some
some American schools
To take a class (in business)
To take a course (in business)
To flank out – to leave school before
To drop out – to leave school before
you have finished it
you have finished it
THE BRITISH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
The basic features of the British educational system are the following:
1. Education is compulsory for all children from 5 to 16;
2. The academic year usually begins in September and runs to early July; it has 3 terms, divided by the Christmas and Easter holidays. In addition, all schools have a “half-term holiday”, lasting a few days or a week, in the middle of each term;
3. Compulsory education is free of charge, but parents may spend money on educating their children if they want to;
4. There are three stages of education. Children move from the first stage (primary) to the second stage (secondary) at around the age of eleven or twelve. The third stage is “further” education at university or college.
At the age of 5 children go to infant schools which are the first stage of primary education. There is no written timetable and classes are informal. From 7 to 11 they attend junior schools, the second stage of primary education. In primary school children are taught the so-called 3R’s: reading, writing and arithmetic. They also have music, physical training and art classes.
At the age of 11 children enter secondary schools. There are three types of state secondary schools in Britain. They are: grammar schools (for the most intelligent children), modern schools (for the less intelligent children) and comprehensive schools (for children of all abilities). Grammar schools lead towards higher education, and the others give general or vocational education to prepare students for employment or for further technical education. The regular secondary schools offer 7 years of schooling, with students from 11 to 18 years of age. The last two years (16-18) may be spent in a separate sixth form college, which concentrates on career training.
In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests.
Those who get good GSCE grades can stay at their school for another two years, if it has a sixth form and teaches the desired subjects, and then take “A” level (Advanced Level) exams. Otherwise they have to leave their school and go to a sixth-form college or college of further education. Further education colleges have strong ties with commerce and industry and offer courses in engineering, cooking or hairdressing.
The GCE Advanced (A) level is normally taken after a further two years of study. Good “A” level results in at least 2 subjects are necessary to get a place at a university. Universities choose their students after interviews. There are about 100 universities in Britain. The most famous of them are Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Along with the state schools, there are about 500 private schools in Britain. Most of them charge fees. Some private schools are boarding schools, where children actually live in the school. Many schools admit day pupils as well as boarders. Private schools usually offer only the most academic line, and select those students who are most likely to succeed. The most expensive private schools are called “public schools” and they have a long history and tradition. Among the most famous “public schools” are Winchester, Eton, Westminster, Rugby and Harrow.
Match the types of schools to the descriptions. Which are the most common/uncommon in your country? (Соедините тип школы с описанием. Какой тип распространен/нераспространен в вашей стране?)
Входная контрольная работа по грамматике 10 класс
Данная контрольная работа позволяет проверить готовность учащихся к проведению входного (промежуточного) тестирования по английскому языку, по мере изучения обучаемыми разделов грамматики. Контрольная работа (тесты) состоит из 2-х вариантов по 25 заданий, каждое задание сопровождается тремя ответами, один из которых правильный.
Тестовые задания вы можете проверить по ключу. Надеюсь, что тесты не покажутся очень сложными с точки зрения лексики, помогут упорядочить и закрепить уже имеющиеся знания.
1. _____people sell their souls and live with a good conscience on the proceeds.
2. Is there _____ work for you to do every day?
3. There are ______ parties that have nice music and pretty decorations.
4. Have you got ______ objection?
5. I don’t know about it; ask _____ else.
6. There is ________ new under the sun.
7. I’ll post the letter ____________.
8. Selfish people think mainly of _________.
9. There are _______ places of interest you can visit enjoy in London.
10. there is _______ uniform school organization or curriculum in the USA.
11. It was reported that _______ were present at the meeting.
12. _________ man has his faults.
13. Tom has _______ finished his work.
14. Don’t worry. He is ________ on the danger list.
15. Do you want _________ tea?
16. I can come tomorrow if you _______ it.
17. Please, ______ be late for classes!
18. There _______ not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart an envy.
19. Civilization will never flow backward while there ______ youth in the world.
20. There ______ ten pens a magazine on the table.
21. About 85 per cent of American students ______ public schools, which are supported by states and local taxes.
b) have attended
22. Wise kings generally ______ wise councilors.
23. The city of Montreal______ 70 square miles.
24. I know you _______ an advanced geography course now.
25. The world sea surrounds the earth and ______ to us all.
Form 10. Variant II
1. _____ the traffic goes by the main road.
2. Does this car use ______ petrol?
3. _______ people are early rises.
4. You can buy stamps at _______ post office.
5. I got the book without ________ difficulty.
6. _________ the greatest gain is to be a loser.
7. Everybody should be able to defend ________.
8. If we hadn’t taken the same plane, we might have never met _________.
9. I don’t like ______jokes.
10. ______ are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to take them.
11. If the blind leads the blind _______ shall fall into the ditch.
12. What _______ have you seen at the museum?
13. – Don’t make such a noise!
– Are the children _______ sleeping?
14. I want to go for a walk. Has it stopped snowing _______?
15. We shall not begin the meeting until everybody _________.
16. _________ the world’s most renowned waxworks museum, and rub shoulders with famous and infamous.
17. You are going on a long journey _____ care on the motorway.
18. _____ there millions of stars within our galaxy?
19. There is _____in the garden waiting for you.
20. ______there________ a lecture tomorrow?
21. What ______ American public schools teach?
22. All historical places of London ______in the West End.
23. Man _______ live by bread alone.
24. Now she ______ difficulty in putting facts in order.
b) has been having
25. Scientists in many different countries ______to explain its mystery.
1 – b, 2 – b, 3 – b, 4 – c, 5 – c, 6 – b, 7 – c, 8 – b, 9 – c, 10 – b, 11 – a, 12 – c, 13 – b, 14 – c,
15 – b, 16 – b, 17 – b, 18 – a, 19 – c, 20 – b, 21 – c, 22 – c, 23 – b, 24 – c, 25 – b.
1 – c, 2 – a, 3 – b, 4 – a, 5 – b, 6 – a, 7 – b, 8 –a, 7 – b, 10 – a, 11 – b, 12 – c, 13 – a, 14 – b,
15 – a, 16 – c, 17– c, 18– b, 19 – c, 20 – a, 21 – b, 22 – c, 23 – b, 24 – a, 25 – a.
А.П.Миньяр-Белоручева/300 тестовых заданий по английской грамматике/
г.Москва, Издательство «Московский Лицей»
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Education system in the USA
There are four stages in the US education system: preschool, primary, secondary, and higher education. The educational process at each of them is flexible, practice-oriented, and can flaunt an individual approach to students.
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| region | North America |
| Capital | Washington, D.C. |
| Language | English, Spanish |
| Currency | US Dollar |
| Population | 317,579,000 |
| Students | 21,000,000 |
| Foreigner students | 3.5% |
| Subject | |
|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | 1 |
| Engineering and Technology | 1 |
| Life Sciences and Medicine | 1 |
| Natural Science | 1 |
| Social Sciences and Management | 1 |
| Mathematics | 1 |
| Physics | 1 |
| Chemistry | 1 |
| Computer Science | 1 |
| Economics & Business | 1 |
| Indicator | |
|---|---|
| Popularity rating in the world | 1 |
| Ranking of universities in the world | 1 |
| Academic Reputation | 1 |
| Employer Reputation | 1 |
| Quality of teaching | 1 |
| International Faculty | 2 |
| International Students | 1 |
| Citations per Faculty | 1 |
| Universities in top 100 | 37 |
| Universities in top 200 | 59 |
| Universities in top 500 | 109 |
| Universities in top 1000 | 195 |
| Universities in top 5000 | 1142 |
Features of education in the United States
Education system in the United States
Preschool education
Preschool classes are also very varied. The main goal is to help them socialize and prepare them for kindergarten. Children learn by playing. A lot of time is devoted to interaction with peers. A standard set of lessons in preschool can look like this:
From the age of five, children enter kindergarten and begin their journey through the K-12 system.
A class in an American preschool
Primary education
Kindergarten
Primary School
After kindergarten, children finally get to primary school (aka elementary school). It lasts from first to sixth grade. During this period, all subjects are taught by one teacher. The major subjects are English, Mathematics, Geography, History, and Natural Sciences. Well-funded schools employ individual teachers for the classes in Music, Art, or foreign languages. On average, children stay at school until 6-7 pm. They take extra hours or do their homework in the afterschool.
The grading system for the first two years is very simple:
Later the standard American school grades A, B, C, D, and F are gradually introduced, where A is «excellent» and F is “failure.” Already in elementary school, children pass their first standardized tests. They measure the academic progress of students and prepare them for the future university entrance exam, the SAT. There are no graduation exams in primary school.
A lesson in an American primary school
Secondary education
Middle school / Junior high school
Tests are carried out regularly. The final grade for the entire period of study in secondary school depends on them. There are no final exams here, it is enough to have «satisfactory» in all subjects to graduate.
Greenfield Central Junior high school
Senior high school
The final stage of secondary education is high school. Children from 14 years old go there. In America, there are mixed junior/senior high schools, where students spend six years until graduation. And there are also separate ones that are located in different buildings. High school lasts from grade 9 till 12. And this is the only opportunity for foreigners to attend a public school as an exchange student (only for one year). For the rest of the time, only private institutions are available to them. But even in public schools, foreign students must pay from 3,000 USD to 10,000 USD per year of study. Read more about admission to US schools in the article on secondary education.
All studies in high school are focused on entering a university: the students improve their GPA and prepare for the SAT/ACT. Compulsory subjects in high school:
In addition to the basic subjects, students can optionally take up Honors or Advanced Placements (AP). The former are students’ groups that study subjects on a more in-depth level, while the latter are university-level courses. There are a total of 33 disciplines in six scientific fields. There is even Japanese, Macroeconomics, and Mechanics [5] available. Upon completing a course, students take an oral or written exam. Excellent grades in AP subjects increase your chances of admission to a prestigious university.
Most likely in the near future, the importance of AP courses will grow significantly. In 2021, the College Board canceled the SAT Subject Test permanently. It used to help graduates demonstrate their knowledge in specific subjects, such as Physics or Chemistry. They were obligatory for admission to some specialties. Advanced Placements could be a great alternative to the SAT Subject Test.
Higher education
Vocational education
School graduates can get a quick vocational education in community colleges. Studying in one of them lasts two years. The workload is slightly lower than at universities, and a heavy emphasis is put on practical skills. In colleges, the student receives an associate degree and gets a job in the specialty.
Another option after community college is to transfer immediately to the third year of a university. To do this, you must have a GPA of 3.5 out of 4, while all grades in specialty subjects must be excellent. Foreigners are sometimes required to provide TOEFL and SAT certificates.
Studying at a university
There are three levels in the US higher education system:
The process of studying at US universities is flexible. Students make their own schedules, and the main focus is typically on seminars and discussions. Upon admission, applicants choose the main specialty, or ‘major,’ and then can add a minor. The latter can be a useful supplement to the main profession. For example, a major is in Engineering, and a minor is in Robotics. Alternatively, it may reflect the student’s personal interests: major — Biology, minor — French literature. Both options are natural for American universities.
Studying in the States costs 20,000-50,000 USD /year. Plus living expenses of about 10,000 USD /year. Fortunately, many US universities award scholarships and grants to students. Some of them, like the Ivy League, cover up to 100% of the tuition fees.
University of Virginia
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USA Education System
Studying in the USA has been a dream of many education enthusiasts. If you want to go and do your studies there, it is important that you come to understand exactly how it is structured. This is important so that you do not have too much expectation at a given level. It is also important that you be well prepared.
Terminologies
Academic Year: The USA school year is shorter than many countries and has got two semesters. The first one is the fall semester that runs from mid-August / early September to December / January. The second is the spring semester which runs from January to end of May / mid-June.
Some of the holidays that students will be exempted from school include; Good Friday & Easter Monday, Thanksgiving holiday (coming on Thursday & Friday in mid-November), Martin Luther King Junior Day (celebrated in mid-January), Memorial Day (celebrated in late May) and Labour Day (celebrated in early September). There is also a spring break that’s always a week long, two weeks for celebrating Christmas and some two full days break.
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Grade Levels in American schools
There is a slight variance per state in terms of the age which school is to be attended. However, on average, those between the age gap of Five/Six and sixteen years of age are required to have a compulsory basic education that’s starts from elementary education to high school education.
The grades and levels of the USA education are summarized below. Some parents prefer to take their children to some preschools before they officially begin schooling. All preschools are privately owned.
Age Level of Study Grade
Age Level of Study GradeKindergarten is the equivalent of the first year of a student in school. A kindergarten can also have an elementary school with them and these combined are called primary schools. In elementary schools, instructions are provided in the fundamental skills of writing, reading, USA history, arithmetic’s, geography, crafts, civics, health, physical education and science. During middle school, foreign languages are often introduced. There is a policy referred to as the ‘No Child Left Behind» which ensures that the students complete exams organized by the states and used to examine; maths, language, arts and science in the third to the eighth grades. This is also done once in high school.
On advancing to junior high school/ middle level, there is slight flexibility in the curriculum since there are both elective and compulsory classes. English, maths and science are the compulsory/ required classes and the students are put in groups according to their performance. Elective classes include foreign languages, chorus and art, home economics and band among others.
The national curriculum ensures that there are lots of consistencies in the general content in the high school curriculum. However, it is in the discretion of the state to set basic requirement of courses that are considered for graduation in high school. These include mathematics, English, physical education, foreign language, social studies which combine geography, government and history.
When a student satisfactorily satisfies the state requirements for graduating from grade twelve, they receive a high school diploma.
Types of Schools in USA
Public schools
These are state funded institutions that offer free education to the students living within the locality. Local taxes and both federal and state government resources are used to fund these schools which are attended by an average of 85-90% of the students in the United States of America.
The students are assigned schools to attend by their school districts while other districts are known to provide specialized (Magnet), international and chartered schools. Through this system, a child may apply for consideration. This system highly dictates to families the location they can stay in so as to convenience the studies of their young ones.
Even though public schools are designated to students who have reached any educational level, at times the students are always grouped in class sections namely; advanced placements, vocational classes, honours among others. This is based on their achievements together with their goals for post graduate studies which can be- seeking to earn a bachelors degree, entering work force or joining community colleges.
Private schools
Private schools are schools that are owned by individuals and they charge some fee for running these institutions. Between 5%-10% of the USA student population attends them. They are in many times not subjected to any regulations regarding teaching qualifications and curriculum. They are governed by the owner or a private board that is appointed by the owners.
Assessment
There is no national examinations in the USA like is done in the UK and other countries. Each state has got its own requirement for completion of as grade of studies. In this case, every student strives to complete the high school diploma as per their state’s requirement. University entrance is dependent on the GPA, AP, regular, honours- rigour in taking classes, your rank in the class in your year group and by the use of admission tests.
Assessment is generally done throughout the semester through a combination of gradual tests, essays, midterm and final exams, homework tasks, quizzes, group work, classroom participation, attendance and projects. These are the parameters used to give the final grade in each course at the end of every semester.
Marks/grades are awarded in letter forms i.e., A+, A, B+, B, and so on. They can also be given in numerical % form. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is gotten from averaging the student’s career grades. Class ranks are also awarded per year.
A report card that has the student’s performance is sent to the parents at the end of every quarter, semester or year while their average history of academics will be recorded in transcripts. The transcripts will be requested for by universities for evaluation and it lists the classes the student completed, their grades, GPA, academic honours and class rank.
The USA education system is majorly broken down in to pre- higher education system and higher education system.
While the pre-higher education institutions have been discussed above, the higher education systems are enumerated below. They include; Master’s or Universities and Colleges, Associate of Arts Colleges, Baccalaureate Colleges, Specialized Institutions, Doctoral Research Universities and Post-secondary Vocational & Technical Schools
The credentials in the USA or rather the certification includes Certificate (Sub-bachelor or vocational), High School Diploma, Diploma (Sub-bachelor or vocational), Bachelor’s Degree, Associate Degree, First Professional Degree, Master’s Degree, Post-bachelor’s Diploma/Certificate, Certificate of Advanced Study, Doctorate and Education Specialist Degree. Want to find out more about schools and education system in America? We can provide further information.
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
Decades ago, the American formal education system was designed to meet the changing needs of the industrial revolution. What was once a time of growth has changed over the years and, with the current economic climate, that system is no longer able to meet modern needs. But what are the biggest failures of the American public education system, and how can they be remedied?
In this article, we’ll explore fifteen of the biggest failures affecting the American public education system today. We’ll also explore five of the biggest emerging trends in American education.
The Top 15 Failures in American Public Education
Policymakers are constantly fighting to make changes to the American public education system, and not all of them are beneficial. Over the years, there has been a great deal of back-and-forth that has left the public education system in shambles. Some of these problems are easy to identify and have been long-standing issues while others are new, brought about by advances in technology, changes in policy, and general change that happens with time.
Every story has two sides, and for every policy or program put into place, there are going to be proponents and critics. Below you’ll find an overview of some of the biggest issues facing the American public system as well as arguments from people on both sides of the issue.
This video examines the question of why public education is failing parents and students.
Here are the top 15 failures affecting the American public education system:
1. Deficits in government funding for schools.
Funding is always an issue for schools and is, in fact, one of the biggest issues facing the American public education system today. For more than 90% of K-12 schools, funding comes from state and local governments, largely generated by sales and income taxes. Research shows, however, that funding has not increased with need – many states are still issuing funding that is lower than it was before the Great Recession. Lower funding means fewer teachers, fewer programs, and diminished resources.
2. Decline in school safety.
There has been a string of high-profile mass shootings in American schools, resulting not only in dozens of deaths but many debates about school safety. In one poll, over 50% of teenagers said they were worried about the possibility of gun violence in school. Teachers all across the country are faced with the problem of figuring out how to prevent attacks and protect the lives of students and personnel. Some suggest special straining for teachers and concealed weapons might make schools safer while critics argue that more guns in schools could lead to more accidents and injuries.
3. Challenges with technology in education.
Today’s students have grown up using technology and have come to expect it in the classroom, but there are arguments about how large a role technology should play in education. Supporters suggest that technology creates the potential for more active student engagement and provides instant access to up-to-date resources while critics say it could be a distraction. While technology in the classroom certainly has its benefits, certain aspects of technology are challenging. For example, smartphones and easy access to technology have made it easier for students to cheat and can negatively impact learning.
This video discusses the worsening school funding crisis.
4. Controversy over charter schools and voucher programs.
Another hot topic in education today is school choice. Charter schools and school vouchers allow parents to choose options other than traditional public schools for their children. Charter schools are funded by a combination of private and public funds and operate outside the public school system. School vouchers allow parents to use public funds to send their child to a school of choice, including private schools. Critics of these schools suggest that charter schools and voucher programs siphon funds away from public schools that are already struggling financially.
5. Problems with the common core curriculum.
The Common Core State Standards were developed to specify exactly what students should know before graduating high school. It was developed in 2009 to promote educational equity across the country, holding all students to the same standardized testing requirements. Some see the problem as a federal intrusion into the state control of education and others say that it doesn’t allow for teacher innovation and flexibility with the learning process. Most states adopted the standards when they were introduced but more than a dozen have since repealed or revised them.
6. Decreased teacher salaries.
Teacher salaries are by no means impressive and, in most states, they have decreased steadily over the past few years. In fact, research shows that the average salary for public elementary and secondary school teachers dropped by nearly 5% between the 2009/10 school year and now. States like Oklahoma and Colorado experienced a 17% and 16% decrease – these states also saw massive teacher walkouts in 2018. There are, of course, some states where teacher salaries increased, and some teachers received a growth in benefits that may or may not be enough to balance out wages that are low overall.
7. Emphasis on standardized testing.
Along with Common Core, there has been an increased focus on standardized testing, especially during the No Child Left Behind years. Schools and teachers are judged based on student test scores which, many argue, is not a fair or accurate measure of efficacy. Many critics argue that standardized testing is one of the biggest problems in American education, suggesting that the pressure to produce high test scores leads to a teach-to-the-test approach and reduced focus on non-tested subjects like art.
8. Arguments about teacher tenure.
Tenure is designed to protect teachers from being fired for personal or political reasons – the school district must demonstrate just cause. In many states, tenure is granted to public school teachers who have consistently received satisfactory evaluations, though some states don’t award it at all. Supporters suggest that tenured teachers can advocate for students without having fears of reprisal while critics say that it makes it harder for school districts to dismiss ineffectual teachers. Some also suggest that tenure may encourage complacency, allowing teachers to put forth the minimal effort.
9. Bullying in schools.
Violence in schools is a rising issue and bullying is a key contributor. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 20% of students in grades 6 through 12 have been bullied either in school or on their way to/from school. This figure is actually down from 32% in 2007 but is still much too high. The challenge with these statistics is that many students who are bullied do NOT report it. Bullied students experience a wide range of physical, behavioral, and emotional problems that can impact not only their education but also their lives.
10. Growing problems with student poverty.
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 50% of the public-school population in the United States was made up of low-income students. This is a significant increase from 38% in 2001. This is a nationwide problem with 40% of public-school students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches in 40 states. In 18 of those states, student poverty rates were over 50%. Studies have shown that low-income students tend to perform lower than affluent students and family income shows a strong correlation with student achievement measured by standardized tests.
11. Schools are overcrowded.
In the 2011/12 school year, the average class size in American public schools was about 21 students in elementary school and almost 27 students in secondary school. Anecdotal reports, however, suggest that classrooms today have closer to 30, and in some cases, 40 students. Teachers and other proponents of smaller class sizes suggest that class size influences the quality of instruction with smaller class sizes have improved student outcomes. Critics say that the cost of limiting class sizes is a limiting factor and that it may not be worth it. In Florida, class sizes were capped in 2002 but a 2010 study showed no significant impact on test scores for students in grades 4 through 8.
12. Student mental health challenges.
Mental health is a growing concern in the United States and one that even affects school students. A 2018 study showed that nearly two-thirds of college students experienced overwhelming anxiety and anxiety has been reported in younger students as well. Even schools that are trying to make a difference face challenges. For example, the recommended ratio of students to counselors is one counselor for every 1,000 to 1,500 students but the U.S. college campus average is 1,737 to 1. Awareness of mental health issues is increasing, but there is still a stigma that prevents many students from seeking care.
13. Parents are not involved enough.
Teachers in public schools can only do so much to support their students. When the students go home for the day, the state of their home life can impact their development both personally and academically. In cases where parents lack higher education, they may not be able to provide the assistance students need to learn and to complete homework. Students in low-income families face additional challenges at home, though even middle- and upper-class families aren’t off the hook. In many families, parents are too career-focused and have little time to spend supporting their child’s education.
14. Too many schools are being closed.
Schools all over the country are closing their doors in numbers that are quite alarming. This only leads to an increase in issues with large class sizes and poor access to resources. It is easy for parents, teachers, and communities that are affected by closures to feel targeted even when school board members provide unbiased data. In some cases, closures cannot be prevented but they can be delayed and communities should consider other solutions or alternative uses for the school such as a community center or adult education center.
15. Lack of teacher innovation and outdated teaching methods.
The teaching methods used decades ago simply do not work for the modern student. One of the biggest things holding back the American public education system is a lack of teacher innovation, partially created by the enforcement of standardized testing and the Common Core curriculum. Unfortunately, the problem really needs to be addressed at the federal level with changes to policies that will result in a change within the public education system. America needs teachers who are better trained to meet the needs of their students and who are willing to speak up and facilitate change. Teachers are on the front lines and, without them speaking up, change is not possible.
Problems abound in the American education system, but growth and change are possible. Keep reading to learn about the top emerging trends in the nation’s public education.
The Top 5 Emerging Trends in Education
Though the American public education system certainly has its issues, it is by no means a lost cause. The only thing anyone can do is change with the times and there are a number of emerging trends in education that could be a step toward resolving some of the issues above.
Here is an overview of the top 5 emerging trends in American education:
Now, let’s take a quick look at each of these trends.
1. Increase in maker learning initiatives.
In many schools, teaching is the focus when education should really be focused on student learning. Maker education allows students to follow their own interests and to test their own solutions for problems in a do-it-yourself approach to education. Students learn in collaborative spaces where they identify problems, create inventions, make prototypes, and keep working until they have the final result that works. There is little hard evidence on the trend as of yet, but it is growing quickly.
2. Moving away from a letter grade system.
Student assessment is necessary to test the efficacy of teaching strategies and curriculum – it is also a good way to measure individual student growth and success. For many years, letter grades have been the primary method of student assessment but that is changing. Leaders in education currently feel that the traditional letter grade model is not a sufficient measure of the skills most highly valued in the modern workforce – skills like creativity and problem-solving.
In 2017, the Mastery Transcript Consortium was formed and includes over 150 private high schools. These schools have adopted a digital system that provides qualitative descriptions of student learning and samples of work instead of the grade-based transcript system. Public schools are quickly adopting the trend as well in a nationwide shift toward mastery-based or competency-based learning.
3. Changing classroom approaches like flipped learning.
The traditional model of teaching places the teacher in front of the class giving a lecture, followed by students working at home on assignments to enhance their understanding of the subject. Flipped learning involves students watching videos or relevant coursework prior to class, and using class time to expand on the material through group discussions or collaborative projects. Flipped learning allows students to control their learning pace and encourages students to learn from each other, exploring subjects more deeply than they otherwise might.
4. The institution of micro-credentials.
This trend in higher education is a departure from traditional college degrees that require years of study over a multi-year span. Micro-credentials, rather, are also known as digital badges or nano degrees that demonstrate knowledge or skill in a given area and are earned through short, targeted educational offerings. About 20% of higher education institutions offer some kind of alternative credentialing system, often partnering with third-party learning providers.
5. Growing concern for social and emotional development.
Traditional education is focused on academics but there is a movement toward nurturing the whole study called social-emotional learning (SEL). This movement is based on the growing consensus that schools have a responsibility to protect and develop students’ social and emotional development in addition to their cognitive skills. SEL focuses on helping students manage their emotions, show empathy, set goals, identify their strengths and make responsible decisions. Research on SEL shows a reduction in anti-social behavior and an improvement in academic achievement and long-term health.
The United States is a giant country with a huge population, making it difficult to standardize education or make improvements across the board. Though there are many problems with the American public education system, there are also many people (including legislators) who are dedicated to making positive changes that could benefit the future students of this country.
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