1. Overview of the U.S. Educational System
Education in America
Warm-up: 10 min.
In groups of 4 think of two things you know about the American educational system, two things you think you know but are not sure about and two things you would like to know. Debrief as whole class.
Overview of the U.S. Educational System

2. Overview Topics Overview of the U.S. Educational System:
o The roles of federal, state and local government:
o Financing of education (who is responsible for what)
o Numbers (students, teachers in the school system)
o school calendar
o Types of school (public, private, charter, religious, other)
o Grades/ages
o Community involvement in education
o Certification for administrators, teachers
o Training opportunities
o Student Assessment

3. Federal, State and Local Government
U.S. Department of Education - federal regulations related to Title Mandates – tied to funding (3 – 5% of school budgets):
Equal rights for women – Title IX
Support for at-risk children and families – Title I
IDEA – 504 and Special Education
State Education Agency– Constitutional right for states to regulate education – funding coordination to school districts (95% of budget to dist)
State Commissioner appointed by governor
Elected state board of education oversees state curriculum, testing requirements, personnel regulations (retirement)
Local District – Elected school boards of 7 – 9 members
Hire/evaluate the superintendent
Budget oversight – distribution of funds to schools, salary schedules for employees, etc.

4. The politics and economics of education in the U.S.
Political debate
“No Child Left Behind” – data driven environment
School choice
Private school vouchers
Sources of funding
Federal
State
Local school district
Private funds
Schools receive a combination of funds
Funding may be de-centralized

5. Presentation - overview of american education system: 10 min
Talk about my educational history as students refer to graph
GED

6. Side-by side Comparison

7. School Choice in America Public vs. Private Education
Do you know how these education options differ?
Public schools
Charter schools (state or district)
Magnet schools (district schools of choice)
Private schools (religious, for profit, non-profit)
Compulsory education (Kinder or 1st to graduation)
High school diploma vs. G.E.D.
Home school
49.5 million public school students and 3.1 million teachers
Approximately 6 million students in private (ies)
1. Matching exercise - sts complete with partner. Brief explanation of “School Choice” in America.
2. Brainstorming exercise - “”From what you have learned so far, how do you think public and private education might differ in the US?

8. Alternative forms of Education
Virtual School – popular in rural areas, high school credit recovery and students who need more flexible schedules
Home schooling
In 2007, approximately 1.5 million children were home schooled: 2.9% of all children.
Often associated with religious groups.
Private Schools/Private Academies
Funded solely by student tuition.
May offer more specialized courses or special needs.
Parochial School
Run by church organizations.
Funded by student tuition and petitioner contributions.
Charter School
Funded by both private funds and public funds.
Stricter control over enrollment (entry and continued)

9. Educator Credentialing and hiring
Teachers
Bachelor’s Degree (4 yr) plus state exam for grade level or content level. Additional certifications may be added by coursework and exam in Special Education, English as a Second Language, Gifted and Talented, Bilingual, etc.
Depending on the state, may be unionized to advocate for benefits and salaries
Usually hired by principal and/or committee of school stakeholders
Appraisals of performance based on student achievement
Usually one year contracts
Some states offer tenure to highly effective teachers
Retirement benefits vary by state
Not paid during summer

10. Administrators
Principals require teacher credential PLUS minimum 3 years experience as a teacher, master’s degree, state exam
Depending on the state, may be unionized to advocate for benefits and salaries
Usually hired by superintendent and/or committee of school stakeholders
Appraisals of performance based on student achievement, surveys, discipline referrals
Usually one year contracts
Superintendents may require teacher credential PLUS principal credentials PLUS superintendent exam
Not unionized
Usually hired by local school board of trustees
Appraisals of performance based on district data, budget and community satisfaction
Usually 1 to 3 year contracts – characteristically high turnover rates

11. Professional Development
Training opportunities provided by the school district during the day or afterschool
Many offered on-line to be completed during teacher planning time or afterschool
Early dismissal days throughout the year for PD and/or parent conferences
Graduate degrees pursued and paid for by teacher – not subsidized
National teacher certification -
National principal certification – pilot discontinued

12. American Primary/Elementary Schools
Public Elementary School teachers instruct between students of diverse learning needs.
A typical classroom will include children with a range of learning needs or abilities, from those identified as having special needs (special education) to students non-native English speakers (ESL students).
Each local school district provides textbooks to give to the students for each subject, and brief overviews of what the teacher are expected to teach.
Learning standards are identified for all areas of a curriculum by individual States, including those for mathematics, social studies, science, physical development, the fine arts, and reading.
Elementary School teachers are trained with emphases on human cognitive and psychological development and the principles of curriculum development and instruction.
Teachers typically earn either a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Certification standards for teachers are determined by individual states.

14. Typical Day of an American Elementary School Teacher
A typical teacher works 8 hours, 5 days a week, at the same school. [August/September-June]
Federal Holidays and summer vacations off from work.
Primary school teachers may teach the same group of students (20-30 students) for the full day or the campus may be departmentalized – usually at testing grades (3rd and up)
Courses include: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies.
Teachers have one (40-45 minute) planning period during the day.
Students receive classes from a different teacher—Music, Art, Gym (sports), Drama, Chorus, etc. during the teacher’s planning period
Teachers meet weekly during the day to discuss students and curriculum called Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
Teachers must have one lunch break (30 minute) during the day.
Many teachers stay after school to participate in extracurricular activities for students or provide additional teaching time.

15. American Secondary Schools: Middle School
Middle School include the 6th – 8th grades between elementary school and senior high school.
At this time, students are given more independence:
Having different teachers for each subjects.
Taking on more independent homework assignments and projects.
Moving to different classrooms for different subjects
being allowed to choose some of their class subjects (electives).

16. American Secondary Schools: High School
High school - 9th through 12th grade.
The students in these grades are classified as:
Freshmen (grade 9)
Sophomores (grade 10)
Juniors (grade 11)
Seniors (grade 12)
Students are encouraged to pursue a concentration in a specific area of study in preparation for college
Early college options allow students to earn college credits simultaneously
Vocational programs provide certifications for graduation

17. High School Curriculum
Students take a broad variety of classes
Curricula vary widely in quality and rigidity
Some states consider 65 (on a 100-point scale) a passing grade, while others consider it to be as low as 60 or as high as 75.
Varied tracks to graduation include Advanced Placement (AP) courses which result in graduation plans with higher GPAs
End of Course exams required to earn credit toward graduation
Mandatory subjects are required in nearly all U.S. high schools:
Science (3 years of biology, chemistry and physics)
Mathematics (4 years of algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, statistics, and calculus)
English (4 years of literature, humanities, composition, etc.)
Social sciences (3 years world and U.S. history, gov./economics)
Physical education (4 years)
Many states require a "health" course (anatomy, first aid, sexuality, birth control)

18. Extracurricular Activities in American Schools
A major characteristic of American schools is the high priority given to sports, clubs and activities
Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling within the scope of the regular curriculum but under the supervision of the school.
These activities can extend to large amounts of time outside the normal school day and include:
Sports Programs—Football, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Rowing, Dance, etc.
Performing Arts—orchestra bands, jazz bands, marching bands, choirs, school plays/drama clubs/musicals
Debate teams, Student Government, Public Awareness Organizations, Various Clubs (Poetry Club, Photography Club, etc.)
Language clubs (primarily Spanish and French clubs)
Cultural activities
Many parents pay for lessons and activities to supplement their children’s edcuation.

19. Social Issues in American Education
English Acquisition
Debate on how to best accommodate for non-English speaking students and parent interest in foreign language instruction.
ESL programs vs. Bilingual programs
Dual Language Programs
Common Core - Nationwide Education Content and Education Quality
Different content, grade systems and quality
Textbook Review and Adoption
Other Issues
Education regarding violence, sex and drug abuse
GLBTQ – Social issues and integration
Support students who are working

20. Common Core States

21. Post-secondary Education Options
Public/private universities and colleges
Community colleges and vocational schools
Rising Cost of Tuition for higher education/school loans

22. Cost of Higher Education
CNN/Money reported tuition hikes in 2004/05

23. Student Assessment
Cost to taxpayers – Big business as states out-source testing administration/scoring to private companies
Preparation for the test diminishes students and teachers as people
Need for accountability and equity
Tremendous stress in children contributing to mental health issues
Educators leaving the profession

24. Community Involvement in Education
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
Site-based Decision-Making Committee (SDMC)
Booster Clubs
Fundraising – festivals, raffles, sales
School Boards elected to oversee district schools

26. Garden Oaks Montessori
Pre-Kindergarten (3 yr olds to 8th grade)
780 students
7:45am – 3:00pm (extended day 7:15am to 6pm)
Free breakfast and dinner
Sliding scale lunch
Welcoming Schools campus of Excellence
National Magnet School of Distinction
Robotics, library, music, physical education, computer lab, science lab, gardens
Video of MSAP grant work

27. Garden Oaks Montessori, Houston Independent School District
Thank you!
Lindsey Pollock, Ed. D.
Garden Oaks Montessori, Houston Independent School District
(713)