1. Chapter 9: Education in the United States
American Culture
Chapter 9: Education in the United States

2. The Establishment of Public Schools in America: Tocqueville’s Observations
Equality of opportunity - everyone deserves an equal opportunity to get a good education
Schools open to citzens of all classes
Paid for by taxes
“common schools”

3. The Establishment of Public Schools in America: Tocqueville’s Observations
Tocqueville at first thought universal education would be a danger to society
However, he saw it to be in harmony with American customs
Noted teaching of vocational skills
American Public Schools expanded to include high schools, colleges and universities (undergraduate, graduate)

4. The Educational Ladder
Preschool (age 3-4)
Kindergarten (age 5)
Elementary School (6 years)
Middle School (2 years)
High School (4 years)
Afterwards, most students go to college

5. The Educational Ladder
College diploma = Bachelor’s degree
This may be followed by
Professional studies – law, medicine
Graduate studies – Masters, Ph.D
There is only one public system, which is open to all

6. The Educational Ladder
About 10% of children attend private Elementary / High Schools
Most are religious – give religious instruction
May have higher academic standards
Also, “elite” private schools for people who think they’re better than everyone else
Wealthier regions have more money to spend on education

7. Attending an American University
All college students pay tuition
Wealthier students have more choices
Loans and scholarships help some students
Most have to work while they study
Cost US$ 15,000 – 39,000 per year
May attend local community colleges
Most Americans have had some college education
~3000 Colleges and Universities

8. The Monetary Value of Education
American value education for its ability to gain a high paying job
Especially - law, medicine
Most new jobs “require” a college education or are very low paying
Many people can now attend college from a distance

9. Educating the Individual
Emphasis on “critical thinking skills” rather than “raw facts”
Students are encouraged to ask questions, think for themselves, express opinions in class (American values)
Development of social and interpersonal skills through “extra-curricular activities”
Especially sports – winning spirit
Student government - Leadership

10. Racial Equality and Education
Despite “equality of opportunity” African Americans have generally received inferior educations (see last week)
Segregated schools were not legal after 1954
Public schools in inner cities were compsed predominantly of African americans – high crime rates, social disorder

11. Racial Equality and Education
Government has introduced many schemes to try to “mix” children from different areas
Generally, these did not work
Schools are becoming more segregated

12. Racial Equality and Education
“Affirmative action” to give opportunities to minorities
Makes up for past discrimination
Some people have seen this as reverse dicrimination, which is also against the constitution

13. The Increasing Responsibilities of Public Schools
American schools are often expected to be responsible for many aspects of students lives
Many “single parent” children have problems at school
New immigrants may have poor educational background
Some inmmigrant children do not speak English
There are limits on the schools’ abilities to handle these problems

14. The Standards Movement
Generally, American stiudents don’t perform as well in some subjects
Standards may not be high enough
The Governmant has set standards for curricula
This means annual tests for students
May change American ideals of education

15. Multicultural Education
Subjects taught in schools have changed as the population has changed
E.g. Historical textbooks no longer focus on Anglo-Saxon perspective
Now have festivals to celebrate cultural diversity
Some think this may fragment American Society (many educations instead of one education)