1. GROUP 2 MEMBERS (COMPARATIVE
EDUCATION)
1. MUSINGUZI REAGAN
2. MUGEZI ASUMAN
3. DULUGA RICHARD
4. AHIMBISIBWE BRIAN
5. AKATWONGYERA GEORGE
6. TUMWIJUKYE NARATH
7. NALUBIDDE OLIVER
8. OKIA JACOB INNOCENT

2. THE STRUCTURE OF
EDUCATION SYSTEM IN
USA
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

3. INTRODUCTION
 The United States has one of the highest levels of education in the world,
with an education rate of 100% among men and women and a reading
level of 99% among people over 15. The perfect education level is
attributed to the American education system, which is one of the most
diverse systems in the world.
 Basic education is compulsory and enforced by law in all states. During
the year 2000, US government data showed that 76.6 million Americans
were at different stages of the education system between kindergarten
and college. In the United States, education is essential, and higher
education is one of the main factors determining the wealth and class of
individuals

4. STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
The formal education system in the United States consists of five main categories:
preschool,
primary or elementary,
middle school,
high school or secondary education,
and university.

5. Preschool
The average enrollment age of preschoolers in the United States is four
years. In nursery schools, teachers emphasize the individuality of children
where their individual strengths and weaknesses are identified.
Children also learn how to develop their expressive skills through interactive
activities. Nursery school is the lowest category in the education system and
provides basic reading and writing skills, as well as social skills.

6. Primary or elementary school
After attending kindergarten, Elementary School is the institution which
offers children a basic primary education between 6 and 11. The elementary
school is divided into five levels, which include (from lowest to highest)
kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade.
The program taught in elementary school is determined by school district
councils with individual school districts having separate programs and
includes arithmetic, language proficiency, social studies, and science.
Elementary school teachers must have a bachelor's degree in preschool and
elementary education.

7. Middle school
After graduating from elementary school, children then enter college, which
includes 5th grade to 8th grade.
The age range of college children is between the 10s and 14s.
At the end of the four years of college, students graduate from high school.

8. Secondary or high school
 The program taught in high school revolved around "core subjects," which vary by
state, with most states having English, math, social studies, and science as the core
subjects.
 Many secondary schools also teach elective courses, including performing arts
such as theater and visual arts such as journalism, painting, foreign languages, and
vocational education. However, the availability of these optional courses in a
school depends mainly on the school's financial situation.
 The age group of children in high school is between the 15s and 18s. At the end of
their secondary studies, successful students obtain a secondary school diploma
attesting that they are ready to follow higher education.

9. University
 The next level is known as undergraduate education, which features
students from the age of 19 until the age of about 22.
 In the United States, undergraduate education constitutes four years of
studies. Upon completion of their studies, students obtain a bachelor's
degree in their field of study.

10. School education
 The age of entry to compulsory education in the U.S. varies, according to the state,
between 5 and 7 years of age, 6 being the most common. The age at which
compulsory schooling ends varies between 16 and 18 years of age, the most
common being 16.
 School education does not end until age 18, or completion of the 12th year of
school and those who leave school at the end of compulsory education without
earning a secondary (high school) diploma do not receive any certificate or
recognition - they are considered to be secondary school drop-outs.

11. School education…
 Students may graduate a year earlier or late depending on when they entered
school. Gifted students may graduate earlier because they skipped grades, and
students may graduate later because they repeat grades.
 School years are referred to as "grades" in the United States. The length of primary
education varies from four to seven years, i.e. grades 1-4, 1-7, etc.

12. School education…
 Each state determines what grade range constitutes primary education, called
"elementary education". According to its length, elementary education may be
followed (or not) by a number of years of middle school education (generally three
years).
 Secondary education takes place in grades 7-12, depending upon the laws and
policies of states and local school districts.
 There is no national structure, curriculum or governing law; all laws and policies
are set and enforced by the 50 state governments and the over 14,000 local
school districts.

13. School education…
 All states and school districts have set the secondary school graduation level as
the completion of 12th grade, and the common name for the secondary
graduation qualification is the High School Diploma. This diploma name covers a
variety of awards for different curricula and standards.
 There are Honors/Regents, academic/college preparatory, vocational, and
general/basic high school diploma tracks. There are a statewide minimum course
requirement and other graduation requirements in each State which usually
correspond to the general/basic track.

14. School education…
 Vocational and academic/college preparatory or honors/Regents diplomas usually
have additional set curricular requirements and/or standards which aspiring
graduates must meet or exceed. In addition, many US secondary school districts
and private schools allow students to participate in the Advanced Placement (AP)
program of the College Board
 This program allows qualified students to take college level introductory courses
in selected subjects taught by certified faculty.

15. School education…
 Examinations are offered in each AP subject at the end of an academic year; a
score of 3 or higher generally results in universities awarding advanced standing in
that subject - exempting the student from distribution requirements. There are
currently over 35 AP subjects with more being planned

16. Higher education
 Higher education in the U.S. is also called postsecondary education, but the latter
term also refers to all formal education beyond secondary school, whether higher
education (defined as degree-granting education) or not.
 Postsecondary education is broadly divided into two different sectors:
postsecondary vocational education and training, which is non-degree but can
produce some transferable credits under certain circumstances; and higher
education, which includes studies undertaken in degree-granting institutions for
academic credit

17. Higher education…
 However, the U.S. higher education system is not legally organized into separate
university and non-university sub-systems as are some other national systems, but
is comprehensive. It is a diverse and autonomous community of publicly and
privately supported institutions.
 The United States does not use an official classification or typology for its higher
education institutions. While different institutions offer varying levels of degrees,
U.S. accreditation policies result in degrees at any given level adhering to certain
minimum standards regardless of the institution that grants them.

18. Higher education…
 While all recognized and accredited institutions are licensed or chartered by state
governments, states vary greatly in the degree of supervision and quality control
that they exercise, and there is relatively limited reciprocity of recognition across
state borders.
 Accreditation by recognized agencies, therefore, remains the primary means of
ensuring academic and institutional quality and the mutual acceptance of credits
and qualifications across and outside the United States.

19. Higher education…
 Academic year: Classes from: Sep to: Jun
 Languages of instruction: English
 Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies
(technical/vocational type):

20. Non-university level:
 There is no legal distinction between "university level" and "non-
university level" higher education. The level of studies is delineated by the
level of qualification offered in a specific program rather than by type of
institution offering it.
 Educational programs corresponding to "non-university level
technical/vocational post-secondary studies" would include all technical
and occupational programs that lead to a degree, diploma or certificate
below the Bachelor's degree.

21. Non-university level…
 Education at this level would include:
(1) all institutions that only award qualifications under the Bachelor's degree;
(2) programs leading to awards under the Bachelor's degree offered at
institutions that also award higher degrees.

22. University level studies
University level first stage:
 Associate Degree,
 Bachelor Degree,
 Advanced Certificate,
 First Professional Degree:

23. University level studies…
 The Associate degree is the first academic or professional degree that can be
awarded in U.S. postsecondary education. Holders of this degree may apply to
enter higher degree programs at the Bachelor's level, but are not qualified to
apply directly for advanced (graduate) studies programs.
 Programs of study for this degree are usually designed to take 2 years of full-time
study, but some take longer to complete. Those who pursue this degree on a part-
time basis also take longer than 2 years to complete their studies.

24. University level studies…
 The Associate degree may be awarded in the liberal arts and general studies as an
academic qualification or it may be awarded in a professional occupational field.
 Some professional career programs at the Associate level are terminal vocational
programs that do not lead to further study, while others do so. Associate degree
programs generally fulfil 2 years of the course requirements needed for a
Bachelor's degree.

25. University level studies…
 Credit for Associate degree studies is usually transferable to Bachelor's degree
programs, especially where transfer agreements have been established between or
among institutions.
 The Bachelor's degree is the second academic degree that can be awarded in U.S.
postsecondary education, and is one of two undergraduate (first) degrees that
qualify a student to apply to programs of advanced (graduate) study (the other
such degree is the first-professional degree)

26. Characteristics of American Education
System
 The following are some of the characteristics that my country’s system of
education can adopt from the American system of Education

27. Characteristics of American Education
System
Education as a Conserving Force
 The avowed function of schools is to teach the attitudes, values, roles,
information, and training necessary for the maintenance of society.
 There is an explicit or implicit assumption in U.S. schools that the
American way is the only right way.
 School texts rarely discuss internal struggles or the racist history of the
U.S.

28. Characteristics of American Education
System…
Mass Education
 People in the U.S. have a basic faith in education.
 A democratic society requires an educated citizenry so that individuals
can participate in the decisions of public policy.
 As a result of the goal of mass education, an increasing proportion of
people have received an education throughout U.S. history.

29. Characteristics of American Education
System…
Local Control of Education
 The majority of money and control for education comes from local
communities.
 There is a general fear of centralization of education.
 Local school boards believe they know best the special needs of their
children.

30. Characteristics of American Education
System…
Competitive Nature of U.S. Education
 Schools in a highly competitive society are likely to be highly competitive
themselves.
 Throughout different aspects of school, such as academics, clubs, and sports,
students learn two lessons:
 Your classmates are enemies because if they succeed, it is at your expense.
 You had better not fail. Fear of failure becomes a greater motivator than
intellectual curiosity or love of knowledge.

31. Characteristics of American Education
System…
 ‘’Sifting and Sorting” Functions of Schools
 School performance sorts out those who will occupy the higher and lower
rungs in the occupational-prestige ladder.
 Sorting is done with respect to two criteria: a child’s ability and her/his
social class background.
 “Tracking” is the placing of students in curricula consistent with
expectations for occupations

32. Characteristics of American Education
System…
Preoccupation with Order and Control
 Schools are organized around constraints of individual freedom
 The clock regiments the school day
 Some schools demand conformity in dress codes.
 Teachers are rated on how quiet and orderly their classrooms are.

33. Characteristics of American Education
System…
 Hidden Curriculum
 Non-academic values, norms, beliefs, and attitudes.
 Teaches children discipline, order, cooperativeness, and conformity.
 Skills thought necessary to assist students to fit into modern bureaucratic society.
 Children learning “their place” in the larger work-a-day world.

34. References
 http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/Classification/
 Saseanu, Andreea. (2005). Characteristics of the Education System in the USA and
its Role in the Socio-Economic Development. The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC
journal. 7. 121-124.
 IAU from U.S. Network for Education Information (USNEI), Washington, 2006
 https://www.angelfire.com/or/sociologyshop/TSSDIR.html