the us system of education a personal perspective
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The US System of Education A Personal Perspective. Katie Subra – [email protected] English Language Fellow Minsk State Linguistic University. My Experience in Public Education. Education Hierarchy in the U.S. . Common K-12 Subjects. Language Arts/English World Languages (sometimes) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The US System of Education A Personal
Perspective
Katie Subra – [email protected]
uEnglish Language
FellowMinsk State Linguistic University
My Experience in Public Education
Education Hierarchy in the U.S.
• Language Arts/English
• World Languages (sometimes)
• Math
• Physical Education
• Art
• Science (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• History & Social Studies
• Music
• AP Courses
• Electives – Art, Music, Phy.Ed, Industrial Arts, …
• Geography
• Computer Class/Typing
• Homeroom/Study Hall
• Home Economics (Middle-H.S.)
• Industrial Arts (High School)
Common K-12 Subjects
• Moderate class sizes (15-30 students)• Support for Special Education offered through public
schools• Teacher quality and amount of tax dollars spent/pupil
varies by district. (The higher the property tax, the higher the public school funding… usually)
• Zoning causes competition and limitations for attendance; support for Arts, Music, Sports, Science, … varies by district
• Depending on size of district: K-12 could be in 1-4 buildings. (Elementary, Middle School, Jr. High School, Sr. High School)
• There are state & national standards; curriculum by districts
K-12 Norms
• Private Schools
• Charter Schools• Montessori
• Immersion Schools
• Home-School & Distance Education
Montessori & Charter are examples, but some private schools cost or are religiously affiliated
Publicly funded; privately operated
Self-motivated and individualized education plans; small class sizes; mixed levels
Content courses through a foreign language (Chinese, Spanish,…)
Parents/Guardians must follow state standards and complete standardized tests; Some online
Alternative Education Models
K-12 Socialization• Extra-curriculars• Sports• Academic Clubs• Music in Schools• Theater
• Behavior• Society-Team work• Incentives (grades)• Punishments
(suspension)• Parent-Teacher
conferences, report cards, emails, class site
• Friendship• School dances (prom,
homecoming)• Holiday events• Yearbooks & Class photos• Volunteer organizations• Class Reunions
• Competitiveness• Sports, Academics,
Higher Ed• Between pupils & rival
schools• Students vary: extreme –
lazy
http://www.raconline.org/racmaps/
• Larger Universities may be broken down into colleges:• Liberal Arts & Humanities• Medicine & Health• Education & Human Development• Business and Management• Economics and Marketing• Science and Engineering• Nursing• Biological Sciences• Law School or other Graduate programs*Certificates, Professional License, A.A., B.A./B.S.,
M.A./M.B.A./M.S./M.L.S…, Ed.D/Ph.D/M.D, Post-doc
Popular College and University Subjects
• Most high school students begin applying to 4 year schools in their Junior or Senior year (11th/12th grade)
• Competitive colleges require high test scores (SAT, ACT, AP College Courses) as well as volunteer experience and extra-curriculars.
• Financial Aid, grants, and scholarships are available, but limited (status)
• The percentage of students enrolling in college in the fall immediately following high school completion was 68.2 percent in 2011.
• Students often wait to choose their major until after completing general credits in a 4-year University.
• While it is possible to complete a B.A. Degree in 4 years, many students take 5 years to do so, depending upon funding situations.
College and University Norms
Top Schools: Entrance & Rank
• Things to consider:• Availability of scholarships
(merit & diversity-based)• Location in US or
urban/suburban• Individual programs• Cost (Top 10:
$40-50,000/year)• Internships or job placement• Professor (well-known,
specialists)• Variety v. Depth• Application deadlines &
paperwork• Acceptance rate/Rolling
enrollment• Language classes or TOEFL
requirements
• National University Rankings:1. Princeton University2. Harvard University3. Yale University4. Columbia University5. Stanford University6. University of Chicago7. Duke University8. Massachussets Institute of
Technology9. University of Pennsylvania10.California Institute of
Technology/Dartmouth College
Profile of My Alma Mater
• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities-Close to my home (120 km)-Great Liberal Arts Program, Science & Engineering, Psychology, Education, School of Business-49.5% Acceptance Rate-Tuition $10-15,000 /year-Financial Aid Available-34,000 Students (>6,000 International)
Campaigning for Higher Ed
WONK Ads:American University – Washington D.C.
•WONK = Person "in the know" (Knowledgeable)
•What is their message about their University?
•Who would it attract?
"Hail to the Victors Valiant" Ads: Univeristy of Michigan
•"Skin cancer is beaten differently here." Field-specific advertisements.
•What is their message about their University?
•Who would it attract?
Because Ads: University of Minnesota •"Driven to Discover. Creativity fuels the new economy."•What is their message about their University?•Who would it attract?
My 1st ESL Class – UM Minnesota English Language Program
My most recent ESL Class – WSU (Winona, Minnesota) English Language Center
Questions? - Useful Links
• American Councils http://www.americancouncils.org/• Association for American Colleges & Universities
http://www.aacu.org/
• ELF Belarus – My Teaching Bloghttp://elfbelarus.wordpress.com/
• US News Ranking of Top Universities http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/
• Contact me: [email protected]