| In the colonial and founding periods of American history (early 1600s to the late 1700s), Christianity, the Bible and creation were taught openly in public schools, and incorporated throughout the various topics of education. This traditional education system is decentralized both private and public schools. Thus, American education is greatly influenced by church and private sectarian schools before public schools were established.
According to the founding Constitution of the United States, the federal government has no right to interfere in the education system of the country. However, after the North-South civil war in 1865, the United States felt there is an urgent need to establish a central education institution..
In 1868, the Education Ministry of the Interior Department was established where the federal government managed and funded the schools until 1979 where the Federal Ministry of Education was formally established. The State Education Commission and the subordinate local school districts were obliged to following orders from the central Ministry of Education. Also, the Ministry of Education shouldered the funding of schools. However, with the continuous increase of expenses since 1958, the federal government has gradually permitted state of local owned schools to formulate and impose their own internal policies.
Education in the united states is aimed not only at developing individual minds but educating the nation and the world as a whole. The government gives almost all material and financial resources to education, thereby ensuring a highly mobilized education system. The main characteristics of American education are universal, comprehensive and full.
More than simply relying on government funding as planned by economic laws, the United States has many social groups (religious, trade unions, business) and educational organizations (education foundations, associations, Research) to help promote and fund education. The Catholic Church, Carnegie, Ford, Rockefeller Foundation, are some of the most popular organizations that provide substantial funds for education, scientific experiment, education reforms, research and the creation of new professional and advanced experiences, educational purposes and policy recommendations. Funds from these major institutions often exceed the allotted funds of the government.
Education gives every student the chance of experiencing the pluralistic culture of the United States caused by the integration of multi-ethnic immigrants’ culture to the American culture. "Normalization" or eradication of mixed-up culture is oppressed in the United States instead; the Americans uphold the "Pluralistic culture" as cultural acceptance for a variety of characteristics, independent element on the basis of equality and mutual complementary.
The United States has a high regard to education as the key to US top position in the world’s technological progress. The Americans see to it that everyone has the right to education. United States law requires children 6-16 years old to attend school. The government runs public schools in the United States. As such, admission is free. The private school also gets support from the church. Thus, the fees are subsidized.
School-age in the United States are categorized as follows:
1. Age 6-12: Primary Schools (Grades 1-6)
2. Age 13-14: Junior high School (Grades 7and 8)
American universities are offering associate degree, bachelor’s master’s doctoral degree system. Aside from the associate and the graduate education, the undergraduate usually takes four years to complete. American universities also award honorary degrees for outstanding community contributions.
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| The two-year college is also known as the Junior College or Technical College. Since it is mostly organized by community, it is also commonly referred to as community college. |
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The four-year college is generally categorized into two: the School of Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Sciences. Both are independent from each other.
The two divisions provide four-year majors and programs. However, the School of Arts and Sciences commonly award bachelor or arts and bachelor of science while the Academy award professional degrees.
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Students who wish to attend the integrated universities for professional education must have at least completed an undergraduate degree. The standard length of study for professional education is two to four years. Integrated universities also awards bachelor’s master’s and doctoral. |
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