a comparison of mexico and us educational systems comparison of mexico and us educational systems...
TRANSCRIPT
A Comparison of Mexico and US Educational Systems
Isabel Quiñónez, Presenter [email protected]
1-707-526-1272 ext. 22
Mexican school system • is divided in the following
levels: Preschool, Elementary, Junior High, High School/Jr. College, and Universities.
US school system • is divided in the following
levels: Elementary, Middle or Jr. High, High School, Jr. College, Vocational, and Universities.
Mandatory Preschool
“Jardín de los Niños” normal class size is 20-25 students and is required for all children from ages 3-5. Students upon completion receive a graduation document which is required before entering primary school. Their third year of preschool is equivalent to our kindergarten.
Elementary School: Tipo David Berlanga Historical Landmark in downtown Morelia
First thru Sixth grades
All elementary schools observed were 1st -6th grade. Most city schools had a.m. and p.m. school schedules. The a.m. school was from 8-12 p.m., and the afternoon school day was from 2-6 p.m. Morning and afternoon school day had separate principals. Some teachers taught both morning and afternoon.
Recess/Brunch
Students eat “brunch” at this time which they bring from home or purchase on site No designated eating areas Recess is unsupervised – students are to resolve issues as they arise
Junior High La Secundaria
• Secundarias in Mexico are for students in grades 7th through 9th grades.
• They are arranged as first year of secundaria, second year of secundaria and third year of secundaria.
Telesecundarias for rural communities
• Telesecundarias can be found in rural areas through out Mexico.
• Telesecundarias are equivalent to the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades as in Junior Highs in the US. • Every hour the students are given 15 minute televised lessons then are given 45 minutes to complete assignments in their national text book with support of a teacher or para professional.
The view from the “telesecundaria”
CONALEP: Trade school (10th-12th)
Trades at this particular CONALEP:
• Tourism and hotel management
• Culinary Arts
• Accounting
• Auto body Mechanics
High School/Jr. College Preparatoria o media superior
• High School is not mandatory in Mexico. Most preparatorias are found only in urban areas which makes education costly to those from rural areas.
• Approximately only 6% of the students that are of high school age attend a Preparatoria.
• Students enrolled in preparatorias can either receive a vocational certificate, or get a diploma (Bachillerato) to then move on to a four year University to receive a degree.
• Preparatorias are arranged in the following manner: 1st year of prepa, 2nd year of prepa & 3rd year of prepa.
“AHA”
Equipped band room & school band
Mexico’s Classroom Technology
• SMART Boards were observed throughout the schools
• Interactive classroom support
Mexico School Library
Due to the limited supply of books students/teachers use them only on site
Curriculum
First through 6th grades *México: • Spanish • Math • Technology • Natural Sciences • History • Geography • Civics • Arts • Physical Education
• English Language Arts/ ELD • Math • Natural Sciences (4th-6th) • History/Geography (4th-6th) • Electives (6th in a Middle Sch) • Physical Education (at times)
*Estados Unidos
*Mexico has a national text while the US has state standards.
México United States C O R E
Spanish Language Arts Math
Universal History
Geography
Civics
Biology
Introduction to physics and chemistry
Foreign Language
English Lang. Arts/ELD Math
History
Science
Physical Education
E L E C T IVES
Art Physical Education
Technology
*Elective classes to choose from: Technology
Culinary Arts
AVID
Foreign Languages
Art
Etc.
Curriculum “Jr. High/Middle School
Grading practices:
United States:
• Letter system: A, B, C, D, F
• “A” being the best grade
• “D” passing poorly
• “F” failed course/subject
México:
• Number system: 10 to 5
• “10” being the best grade
• “6” passing poorly
• “5” failed course/subject
Types of schools: United States:
• Public Schools
• Charter Schools
• Private Schools
• Home schooling
México: • Public schools
• Private schools
Educational Structures:
MEXICO • National Secretary of
Education • State Secretary of Education • Deparment Heads by level:
preschool, elementary, jr. high, trade schools, and high school (Jefe de departamento)
• Municipal Superintendents (Jefe de Sector)
• Superintendents-Supervisores • Principals • Teachers • Parents • Students
ESTADOS UNIDOS • US Secretary of Education • State Secretary of
Education • County Superintendents • School District
Superintendents • School Principals • Teachers • Students, Parents
Mexico’s Educational Data:
• 6.5% of the general fund in Mexico is earmarked for education
• 24,153,000 students enrolled in Preschool through 9th grade.*
• 27 million national texts are disseminated annually throughout the country
• 1,547,000 certificated Mexican teachers * Mexico’s educational grade level requirements
are preschool thru ninth grades
Bi-national student Ricardo Martinez, 12 years old
Findings from interview:
Mexican born
Moved to Los Angeles, California for three years
Younger brother born in U.S.
His biggest challenge was language
His expectations of the U.S. was to experience freedom and it’s beautiful landscape
Actual experience was the opposite – he missed his liberty and freedom from Mexico
What he misses from U.S. schools is not having to wear a uniform
Parents plan to move back to U.S. for him to finish high school
Local Mexican Consulates offer:
• Transfer documents -for US students traveling to Mexico for
extended periods of time • Curricular Alignment Guides -offers high school curriculum taught
by grade level in both English and Spanish (to grant appropriate credits)
Cultural Traditions on Both Sides of the Border
Healdsburg High students
Morelia students
Questions or comments…
