The U.S.A. and

Educatio

n

The yellow school bus!

Pledge of Allegiance

• Pledge of Allegiance recited and interpreted by John Wayne, an “American icon”

• The original pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, but words “under God” added in 1954

• It is mandatory to say pledge of allegiance in all public schools, saluting the flag with hand over heart

Vocabulary

• beacon: something that illuminates or inspires

• wield: to command, manage or handle• profusion: abundance• forge: to form, produce, shape• hinder: to stop or prevent

– DISCUSSION: What do you think of the Pledge of Allegiance? Do you think it is a good idea? How would you feel if they required something similar in Spain?

General stages of school • Pre-school- ages 3-5• Elementary school (Primary school)- Kindergarten through 5th

grade, ages 5-10• Middle school- 6th through 8th grade, ages 11-13• High school (Secondary School)- 9th through 12th grade, ages

14-18: students take a wide variety of required subjects, including Math, Science, English, Social Sciences, Physical Education, Foreign Language, Health

– Students don’t need to choose one specific area of study, but can choose “Electives,” which are classes geared towards specific subjects (another language, social science, art, music, etc)

• Colleges/Universities- ages 18-22 • Masters, Law School, Business School, PhD (doctorate) • Private school—varies by age, grades offered, religious

affiliation, college prep• Homeschooling (1.5 million children, about 3% of children)

Homeschooling Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sPnUoEbL6E

• Issues– Socialization: stereotypes as

“social misfits”– Isolation– Tests, college preparation

• Pros– Not exposed to peer pressure,

bullying– Flexibility– More exposure to “real world”

and not school environment

Is socialization in school always a good thing?

Despite the evidence, many are still opposed to homeschooling

High School: The Senior Prom

• Formal dance at the end of the school year

• Limousines, fancy dresses• Dangers: Underage

drinking, drinking and driving

Corsage & boutonniere

Colleges & Universities• There are 4,352 colleges, universities,

and junior colleges in the country • Range from public to private to

religiously-affiliated• 4-year programs to attain a bachelor’s

degree• Community colleges for an Associate’s

degree (2 years) • In 2009, a record high of 40% of 18-24

year olds were enrolled in college. • Only 8.9 percent of students ever receive

postgraduate degrees, and most, after obtaining their bachelor's degree, go directly to work

Declaring a “major”

• Many Americans do not decide what they want to study until their first or second year in college (age 18 or 19)

• In the U.S., having a certain major does not necessarily mean that is what your career will be. For example, you can get your degree in Biology, then go to law school to become a lawyer. Or you can get a degree in Political Science and then go to medical school and become a doctor, as long as you take the required courses.

University tuition costs• Public four-year colleges charge, on average,

$7,020 (5,000 Euros) per year in tuition and fees for students who live in their state. The average price for full-time out-of-state students at these institutions is $11,528 (8,000 Euros). 

• Private four-year colleges charge, on average, $26,273 (19,000 Euros) per year in tuition and fees. (**doesn’t include housing, books, food, etc!**)

• My university costs approximately $50,000 per year (36,000 Euros)= $200,000 (144,000 Euros) for four years!!!

How students pay

• The majority of students (70%) lack the financial resources to pay for college

• Loans- Federal and private• Scholarships- need-based or merit-based

• Many students graduate with a lot of debt, average of $24,000 (17,000 Euros)

Compare and Contrast with Spain

• Get into groups to discuss the differences and similarities between U.S. education and Spanish education.

• Each group has to come up with 5 things that are similar and/or different in Spain.

• Groups can also give other interesting facts about Spanish education.

• Present to the rest of the class.

Questions

• Do you think that studying in a different country isimportant? What are the benefits and/or downfalls?• Do you think Spain has a good education system? Whyor why not?• Do you think that religion should be affiliated witheducation systems? Why or why not?• Do you think that getting a university degree isimportant? Why or why not?• Do you think university should be free? Why or why not?If it was free, would there be implications to the quality ofeducation?