Cultural and historical reasons have led to a highly decentralized and diversified education system in the American Republic. There are no federal or national institutions save for the military academies, and within most states control of local school districts is devolved to a locally elected school board of non-professionals. Thus, the exact methods, curricula, standards, and practices in education vary from district to district and from state to state.
Elementary and secondary education is funded by state or local governments and free to the student; slightly more than 11% of the national student population is enrolled in private education, which range from independent boarding schools to parochial schools operated by Catholic dioceses and orders to schools operated by for-profit consortia. A growing number of students are also home-schooled by their families or private tutors.
In most states, education begins at age 5, when children are enrolled in kindergarten. Kindergarten is followed by first grade and then four or five more years of elementary school. After elementary education, students enroll in so-called middle school or junior high school, which encompasses grades 6-8, 7-8, or 7-9 depending on the local practice. High school, i.e. senior high school follows for grades 9-12 or 10-12 depending on the local practice. The high school years are also referred to as freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Starting in 2002, students are required to take periodic standardized achievement tests to be used to rate their performance and that of their schools and districts. K-12 education reformers have succeeded in different areas at creating charter schools, which release a school from certain regulations under a contract to exceed performance; magnet schools, which draw students from a wide area to focus on a particular subject; and school choice programs, in which parents are permitted to select the school their child will attend.
During the eleventh or twelfth grades, students intending to pursue higher education apply to postsecondary institutions and take a battery of national examinations known by their initials, such as PSAT / NMSQT, SAT / SAT II, ACT, ASVAB, ELPT, AP, CLEP, and IB. For those who do not, education is typically compulsory between the ages of 6 or 7 and 16. Those without a high school diploma can complete a course known as the GED as adults, which is considered equivalent.
Most students continue to post-secondary education, generally referred to as college (i.e. the stage of education, regardless of whether the institution is named a "college," "university," or "institute"). All states sponsor subsidized universities or specialized college systems, and there exist a substantial number of private institutions. The federal government sponsors a number of financial aid programs for higher education in the form of loans, grants, work-study, community service grant, and military service grant programs.
In the case of a junior college or community college, the student enrolls in a two-year proram resulting in an associate's degree, usually resulting in certification in a career field. Larger colleges and universities grant bachelor's degrees (e.g. A.B., B.S.) after a 4-year program, although some specialized degrees (e.g. B.Arch, B.F.A.) are stipulated to be 5-year programs.
Post-graduate education for masters, doctorate, or professional degrees such as the M.D., J.D., or Ph.D. is supported by the university systems and in some cases by specialized institutions. Continuing education programs are sponsored by many institutions, and cooperative extension programs are required of "land grant" and "sea grant" universities which received land or funding from the federal government at their founding.
The U.S. claims a literacy rate exceeding 97%.
Northeastern University program that prepares engineers, scientists, and other individuals with science backgrounds to assist middle school science teachers with teaching the physical sciences. www.reseed.neu.edu
Established to help states, local educational agencies, teachers, school library and media personnel, administrators, and other education entities successfully integrate technologies into kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) classrooms, library media ce rtec.org
Seeks (CHCI) to link higher education resources with Hispanics throughout the United States. CHCI's mission is to develop the next generation of Latino leaders. www.chci.org
Nonprofit, nonadvocacy organization that provides unbiased information about current legal issues affecting education in schools, colleges, and universities. www.educationlaw.org
The U.S. alumni membership organization which supports and promotes the Fulbright Program of international educational and cultural exchange www.fulbright.org
Resource organization committed to helping schools and organizations address issues of staff diversity, providing employment and professional development opportunities for minority students and professionals. www.nemnet.com
A private not-for profit membership organization representing the 865,000 children, upwards of 180,000 staff and nearly 2,100 Head Start programs in America. www.nhsa.org
A non-profit organization assists in the recruitment, selection and administration for J-1 visa sponsorship for exchange teachers to teach in bilingual, math, science and ESL programs. payson.tulane.edu/cordellhull
National network of child care providers. Offers details on programs such as infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten, before and after school, summer camps. Careers, locator tool, and parents' resources are available. www.childrensworld.com
An independent federal organization leading the national effort toward a fully literate America in the 21st century. Features details on interagency management group, programs and services, and events. www.nifl.gov
Develops models, materials, mechanisms, processes, and networks. Conduct studies and analyses. Promotes real education that connects in-school and out-of-school experiences. Branch of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. ehrweb.aaas.org
Provides information from research and practice to those involved in educational improvement at the local, state, and regional levels. www.relnetwork.org
National program, funded by the EPA, that provides information for school administrators, teachers, parents and pest control technicians on reducing pests in schools while reducing the amount of pesticides. schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu
Study abroad and student exchange programs for students and teachers who wish to travel or study an academic year, semester or summer abroad. FAQs, educational facts, program details, and contacts are provided. www.twoworldsunited.com
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