...m the ages of 5 to 16. There are several structural patterns in use, depending on the location - 6-3-3 plan Elementary School grades 1-6 Junior High School grades 7-9 Senior High School grades 10-12 - 8-4 plan Elementary School grades 1-8 High School grades 9-12 - 6-6 plan Elementary School grades 1-6 High School 7-12 All plans lead to high school graduation at about 17 to 18 years of age. Many American children begin their schooling before enrolling in first grade . More than 80 per cent of all 5-year-olds attend Kindergarten . The ord Kindergarten is the same as in German . ELEMENTARY EDUCATION is intended for children from the ages of 6 to 12 or 14. They are usually public and co-educational. About 98 per cent of all U.S. children complete elementary school . SECONDARY EDUCATION comprises either 4 years or 6 years. The six-year High School is divided up into a Junior and a Senior High School. The American High School offers educational facilities for all children aged 1214-17 It shos best the equality tendency of American education by making children of all social classes attend the same type of school as long as possible. It is a Comprehensive School hich mirrors the American ideals of equal opportunities and equality of social status and serves. The basic problem of US High School education is hether it should provide vocational or general education. Therefore all larger High Schools offer a number of different programmes - The academic curriculum prepares children for college the basics for High School graduation requirements are English, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science and a foreign language if students go on college. - Commercial classes include typing, shorthand and bookkeeping. - Vocational programmes offer courses in auto mechanics, printing, agriculture, homemaking, cosmetology, marketing and sales skills About 75 per cent of the graduates of elementary school graduate from high school and 60 per cent of them enter Higher education by enrolling in universities or colleges. HIGHER EDUCATION The post-secondary education system in America is complex, as many different types of programmes are offered by the more than 3000 colleges and universities. It consists of four basic types of institutions 1. the to-year Junior or Community College 2. the to-year Technical College 3. the four-year undergraduate institution 4. the university, hich normally comprises a college for undergraduate students seeking a Bachelors Degree and one or more graduate schools or professional schools for those seeking Masters of doctoral degrees. A school in any of these categories might be public or private according to its source of funding. Although higher education can be expensive in America - most annual tuitions is in the range of 3000-9000 - a student can seek funds through scholarships, financial aid or guaranteed government student loans. About 15 per cent of the countrys people complete the last four years of their education . CONTROL AND FINANCING OF EDUCATION Education has been considered a state and local responsibility, rather than a federal matter. Local communities are given broad authority to run schools. State governments have their on departments of education hich determine school policy and enact educational las. The US Department of Educational has little authority and no direct control over education. Public schools in the United States are supported mainly by taxation . Private schools get their operating funds mainly from tuition and contribution of private citizens . The national schools, like its private businesses, have alays had to deal ith financial problems . EXAMINATIONS There is no national public examination system. In public elementary and secondary schooling, local districts determine and maintain standards. Current Issues of American Education American education is be set by many problems. The most important concerns are - Equal opportunities for all - Racial issues - Bilingual education - Student achievement and curricula reforms - School prayer - Inner-city school problems Other problems are Run-don school buildings . Shortage of teachers . ...
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