Education in America Overview of the U.S. Educational System.

Education in AmericaEducation in America

Overview of the U.S. Overview of the U.S. Educational SystemEducational System

17 1216 1115 1014 913 812 711 610 5

9 48 37 26 1543

AGE GRADE

Preschool/Kindergarten

Primary School

Doctoral Degree (3-6 years) Ph.D.

High School (4 years)

Middle School (Junior High) (3 years)

AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Elementary School (5 years)

Community College (2 mo. - 2 years)

College/University (4 years) Undergraduate Degree B.A., B.S.

Master's Degree (2-3 years)

Secondary School

Graduate School

Post-Secondary School

School Choice in AmericaSchool Choice in AmericaPublic vs. Private Public vs. Private

EducationEducationDo you know how these education options Do you know how these education options

differ?differ? Public schoolsPublic schools Private schoolsPrivate schools Charter schoolsCharter schools Magnet schoolsMagnet schools Compulsory educationCompulsory education High school diploma vs. G.E.DHigh school diploma vs. G.E.D Home schoolHome school

The politics and economics of The politics and economics of education in the U.S.education in the U.S.

Political debatePolitical debate ““No Child Left Behind”No Child Left Behind” School choiceSchool choice Private school vouchersPrivate school vouchersSources of fundingSources of funding FederalFederal StateState Local school districtLocal school district Private fundsPrivate funds Schools receive a combination of fundsSchools receive a combination of funds Funding is de-centralizedFunding is de-centralized

Post-secondary Post-secondary Education OptionsEducation Options

Public/private universities and Public/private universities and collegescolleges

Community colleges and vocational Community colleges and vocational schoolsschools

Rising Cost of Tuition for higher Rising Cost of Tuition for higher education/school loanseducation/school loans

Cost of Higher EducationCost of Higher Education

CNN/Money reported tuition hikes in 2004/05CNN/Money reported tuition hikes in 2004/05

Budgeting for CollegeBudgeting for College

The cost of higher The cost of higher education is more education is more that just tuitionthat just tuition

Students draw from Students draw from a number of a number of resources to finance resources to finance education: family, education: family, student loans, student loans, grants and grants and scholarships, full-scholarships, full-time jobstime jobs

Parent-Teacher Parent-Teacher ConferenceConference

Vocabulary for the parent-Vocabulary for the parent-teacher conference:teacher conference:

Language Arts teaching methods:Language Arts teaching methods:PhonicsPhonicsWhole languageWhole languageLiterature-based instructionLiterature-based instructionInvented spellingInvented spelling

General vocabulary:General vocabulary:PTAPTALDLDESLESLADD/ADHDADD/ADHDSylvan learning center [http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/]Sylvan learning center [http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/]


Possible issues that might occur Possible issues that might occur with your child’s schooling:with your child’s schooling:

1)1) Your child is struggling academically.Your child is struggling academically.

2)2) Your child is not being challenged.Your child is not being challenged.

3)3) Your child is having a tough time socially.Your child is having a tough time socially.

4)4) Your child does not like the teacher.Your child does not like the teacher.

5) 5) Your child thinks the teacher does not like Your child thinks the teacher does not like him/her.him/her.

6)6) Your child is doing great, so, what to talk Your child is doing great, so, what to talk about?about?


Before you go:Before you go: Make notes about your child’s home lifeMake notes about your child’s home life List questions about the school’s List questions about the school’s

programs or policiesprograms or policies

Things to remember:Things to remember:1)1) Be on time!Be on time!2)2) If you are busy, reschedule for a If you are busy, reschedule for a

suitable time for both you and the suitable time for both you and the teacher.teacher.


During the conference:During the conference: Listen to what the teacher has to say.Listen to what the teacher has to say. Ask the teacher to write down some Ask the teacher to write down some

notes for you, so you can remember notes for you, so you can remember what the teacher said clearly.what the teacher said clearly.

Ask questions about your child’s Ask questions about your child’s progress.progress.

Stay calm and do not become angry…if Stay calm and do not become angry…if you think the teacher has said something you think the teacher has said something uncomplimentary about your child, ask uncomplimentary about your child, ask him/her to repeat it before getting upset.him/her to repeat it before getting upset.

Sample questions to Sample questions to ask…ask…

Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why? Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why? How well does my child get along with others? How well does my child get along with others? What are my child's best and worst subjects? What are my child's best and worst subjects? Is my child working up to his or her ability? Is my child working up to his or her ability? Does my child participate in class discussions and Does my child participate in class discussions and

activities? activities? Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child

acts? For example, have you noticed any squinting, acts? For example, have you noticed any squinting, tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or other problems? other problems?

What kinds of tests are being done? What do the tests tell What kinds of tests are being done? What do the tests tell about my child's progress? about my child's progress?

How does my child handle taking tests? How does my child handle taking tests? How can I contact you if I have questions or concerns?How can I contact you if I have questions or concerns? Can I give you my email address? Can I have your email Can I give you my email address? Can I have your email

address?address?

After the conference…After the conference… Talk to your child about the ideas your child’s Talk to your child about the ideas your child’s

teacher shared with you.teacher shared with you. Make a plan with your child for how to Make a plan with your child for how to

improve.improve. Make sure your child knows both you and the Make sure your child knows both you and the

teacher want the best for him/her.teacher want the best for him/her. Keep in touch with your child’s teacher to Keep in touch with your child’s teacher to

form a strong partnership.form a strong partnership.

Source: National Education AssociationSource: National Education Association http://www.nea.org/parents/ptconf.htmlhttp://www.nea.org/parents/ptconf.html

10 Conference tips:10 Conference tips:1)1) Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss

with the teacher. with the teacher. 2)2) Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference.Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference.3)3) Arrive promptly or a few minutes early. Arrive promptly or a few minutes early. 4)4) Begin with positive comments about the teacher or classroom. Begin with positive comments about the teacher or classroom. 5)5) Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the

purpose of the conference. purpose of the conference. 6)6) Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher. Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher. 7)7) Keep your emotions under control. Keep your emotions under control. 8)8) Take notes about what has been discussed to share with your child. Take notes about what has been discussed to share with your child. 9)9) Express appreciation for the conference. Express appreciation for the conference. 10)10) Do not stay beyond your allotted time. Do not stay beyond your allotted time.

Source: National PTA Source: National PTA http://school.familyeducation.com/parents-and-school/parent-teacher-http://school.familyeducation.com/parents-and-school/parent-teacher-

conferences/38585.htmlconferences/38585.html

Parent-teacher conference Parent-teacher conference formform

Name of Child ____________________Name of Child ____________________ Grade ________Grade ________

Parents __________________________Parents __________________________

1)1) Student Strengths Observed at Home by Parent:Student Strengths Observed at Home by Parent:

2)2) Student Needs Observed at Home by Parent:Student Needs Observed at Home by Parent:

3)3) Suggestions for Action: (To be completed during the conference).Suggestions for Action: (To be completed during the conference).

Home Setting: Home Setting:

School Setting:School Setting:

Source: Scholastic PublishingSource: Scholastic Publishinghttp://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/classmgmt/parconfform.htmhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/classmgmt/parconfform.htm

Education in America Overview of the U.S. Educational System.

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