Education

In the United States, education is accessible to everyone, regardless of a person's age, race, religion, or social class. Public education is free and required by law for all children ages 6 to 16, and may also be available for children older or younger, depending on local school district regulations. Alternatively, parents may enroll children in private schools, many of which have religious affiliations, but tuition at these schools is often expensive. Beyond high school, education can be quite expensive.

Most Americans view education as a way to qualify for more satisfying jobs and improve their standard of living. After deciding to continue their education, adults usually continue working full-time and attend courses in the evening or on the weekend.

Public Education for Children
In American public schools, children from different racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds study and interact together in classrooms and during out-of-class activities. Children with physical or mental disabilities must also attend school. In these cases, the school assesses the child's disability and discusses with the parents a plan for the child's education.

Children should be enrolled in school as soon as possible after arrival. Your resettlement agency will help with school enrollment. Most schools require the child's immunization records and medical histories. Although public education is free, there are expenses which parents pay, such as those for pencils, paper, other supplies, and fees for special activities.

In general, there are three levels of education. Primary education starts at kindergarten when children are five years old and continues to the end of fifth or sixth grade. Junior high or middle school follows (usually grades six to eight), and senior high school (usually grades nine to twelve) is the last level. Students who successfully finish high school receive a high school diploma. Newly arriving students are generally placed in a grade on the basis of age and previous academic study. Younger children speaking little English may be placed in a lower grade at first.

Classes usually begin in August or September and end in May or June. Most children attend classes about six hours a day, Monday through Friday. If the school is too far from your home for your child to walk, school buses may provide free transportation to school. Children can take lunch to school or buy low-cost, nutritious lunches in the school cafeteria.

School attendance is very important. When students miss school, parents are expected to provide a written explanation, and students are expected to make up the school work they missed.

Boys and girls are taught together in the same classroom in almost all public schools. The American way of teaching may be very different from that in other countries. Teachers encourage children to learn by thinking and analyzing more than through rote memorization. Students participate by asking questions and joining in discussions and activities, even if they do not yet speak much English.

There is no national curriculum in the United States; each state and local school district decides what should be taught. In general, however, most students study English, mathematics, social studies, science, and physical education. Art, music, and foreign languages are also usually offered. In addition to classes during the regular day, most schools, particularly at the high school level, offer a range of sport and club activities during and after school hours.

One of the biggest challenges for children is learning English, especially the language needed for school work, and most learn quickly. Many schools have special English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for new arrivals; others offer assistance through a special teacher or a tutor. Most newcomers face adjustment problems in their first year of school. Children may feel lonely at first, but as their ability to communicate improves, they make friends and feel more comfortable at school.

Many students and their parents are surprised by the informal behavior and dress of American students. American public schools give students freedom to make choices, but they are also expected to obey school rules. If they break the rules, students may be required to do additional homework, stay after school, be denied permission to participate in certain activities, or be suspended from school for a few days. Physical punishment is not permitted in most U.S. schools.

Some schools, particularly large ones in big cities, have problems with youth gangs and fighting between racial or ethnic groups. In some areas, there have also been problems with students bringing drugs or weapons to school. If students feel threatened or confused, they should avoid confrontation and talk to a teacher, school counselor, or tutor.

Parents or guardians are expected to play an active role in the education of their children. They are encouraged to visit the school, get to know their children's teachers, and attend school meetings, even if they do not speak much English. Many schools offer information specifically for limited-English-speaking parents. Schools in the United States try to help parents understand their children's education.

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The Cultural Orientation Project--http://www.culturalorientation.net, for more information contact sanja@cal.org
Last Updated: 4/25/00