Transcript American Culture Chapter 9: Education in the United States The Establishment of Public Schools in America: Tocqueville’s Observations     Equality of opportunity - everyone deserves an equal.

American Culture
Chapter 9: Education in
the United States
The Establishment of Public Schools in
America: Tocqueville’s Observations
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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”
The Establishment of Public Schools in
America: Tocqueville’s Observations
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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)
The Educational Ladder
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Preschool (age 3-4)
Kindergarten (age 5)
Elementary School (6 years)
Middle School (2 years)
High School (4 years)
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Afterwards, most students go to college
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The Educational Ladder
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College diploma = Bachelor’s degree
This may be followed by
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Professional studies – law, medicine
Graduate studies – Masters, Ph.D
There is only one public system, which is
open to all
The Educational Ladder
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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
Attending an American University
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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
The Monetary Value of Education
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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
Educating the Individual
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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
Racial Equality and Education
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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
Racial Equality and Education
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Government has introduced many schemes
to try to “mix” children from different areas
Generally, these did not work
Schools are becoming more segregated
Racial Equality and Education
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“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
The Increasing Responsibilities of
Public Schools
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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
The Standards Movement
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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
Multicultural Education
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Subjects taught in schools have changed as the
population has changed
E.g. Historical textbooks no longer focus on AngloSaxon perspective
Now have festivals to celebrate cultural diversity
Some think this may fragment American Society
(many educations instead of one education)