1. Hello everyone. Today I will show you everything about education in the United States. Imagine that we are walking down a school hallway, and every locker has a fact inside. Let’s open the first one.
2. Students in the USA go to school for 13 years. That means kindergarten, plus grades 1 to 12. They start at about age 5 and finish at about age 18. Elementary school goes from kindergarten to grade 5, middle school is grades 6 to 8, and high school is grades 9 to 12. Pre-K, for ages 3 to 5, is optional.
4. The USA does not have one single school system. About 13,000 local districts run the schools and decide the budgets. Each state sets the standards and gives licenses to teachers. The federal government pays only about 10 percent of the money, but it protects students’ rights.
7. The school year is about 180 days long. A normal school day lasts 6 to 7 hours. Classes start in late August or September and end in late May or early June.
9 .In a normal day, students study English, math, science and social studies. They can also choose electives, like art, music or languages. A class usually has about 20 to 25 students. Families who qualify get free or low-cost lunch, and students with disabilities get free support.
12. After grade 12, students get a high school diploma, usually at about age 18. Then they have many choices. They can go to a university for 4 years, or to a community college for 2 years. They can learn a job at a trade school, join the military, or take a gap year before deciding.
13. There are about 4,000 colleges in the USA and about 19 million college students. An associate degree takes 2 years, a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years, and a master’s degree takes 1 to 2 more years. A doctorate is the highest degree, and it is based on research.
16. School life is about more than classes. There is a homecoming game and dance, and prom in high school. Students make yearbooks and join clubs and teams. And at graduation, they wear a cap and gown.
17. To finish, American education is not one single system. Local districts, states and the federal government share the work, so every school is a little different. Thank you for listening. Do you have any questions?