Because the country has a federal system of government that values local governance, no national education system or curriculum exists in the United States. The federal government does not operate public schools. Each of the fifty states has its own Department of Education that sets guidelines for the schools of that state. Public schools also receive funding from the individual state. Public colleges and universities also receive funding from the state in which they are located.
Students in grades 1-12 do not pay tuition. College and university students pay tuition, but many earn scholarships or receive loans. Much of the control of American public schools lies in the hands of each local school district. Each school district is governed by a school board; a small committee of people elected by the local community or appointed by the local government. Generally, school districts are divided into elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Elementary schools are composed of students in kindergarten and grades 1-5. Most children attend kindergarten when they are five-years-old. Children begin 1st grade at age six. Middle school is composed of students in grades 6-8 and high school contains grades 9-12.
High school students are required to take a wide variety of courses in English, mathematics, science, and social science. They may also be required to take foreign language or physical education, and they may choose to take music, art, or theatre courses. Many high schools also offer vocational (occupational) training courses. In the United States, education is compulsory for all students until ages sixteen to eighteen depending on the individual state. Most high school students graduate at the age of seventeen or eighteen-years-old. They graduate after they have successfully passed all the studied courses. Afterwards, they may enroll in colleges or universities to pursue their higher (tertiary/postsecondary) education. They have the option of attending a two-year community college (also known as a junior college) before applying to a four-year university. Admission to community college is easier, and class sizes are often smaller than in a university.
I. Comprehension :
1.Are the following statements true or false?
a. The United States has a national-level system of education.
b. Each state has a department of education for its own.
C .Tuition is free for students in grades 1-12.
2. Answer the following questions according to the text.
a. Why is the American educational system non national?
b. Do all university students pay tuition?
c. Is education in the United States compulsory for young people?
d.Which grades does an American high school contain?
e.What do students need to graduate from high school?
3.What or who do the underlined words refer to in the text?
a.They §1 b. the country §1 c. their §3
II. TEXT EXPLORATION
1.Find in the text words or phrases that are closet in meaning to the following
a. rules §1 b. obligatory §3 c. to register §3
2.Join the pairs of sentences below with the words in brackets. Make any necessary changes.
1.About forty million people have limited skills in reading and writing. American education seems very successful. (Despite the fact that)
2. Algeria has a national system of education. In America, it is not the case. (while)
3.Complete sentence (b) so that it means the same as sentence (a):
1. a. Educationalists said, “The US education system is successful.”
b. Educationalists said …………
2. a. “Do your task,” the teacher instructed James.
b. The teacher instructed.......................
3. We won’t improve our education system if we don’t take things more seriously.
Unless……………………………………………………………………………
4.a)In my country , most schools are run by the state.
b. In my country, the state…………
4. Classify the following words in a table according to the pronunciation of their final‘s’:
beliefs- classes- rooms-libraries-books- scholars –colleges –states-
III. Written expression:
Topic 1:In a composition of about 150 words, describe your school of dreams(ideal school).The notes below might help you.
-Buildings : modern architecture.
-Classrooms: air conditioned/decorated / interactive boards/ computers/laptops …etc
-Library : digital devices/read /online books…etc
-Programme : interesting / challenging topics…etc
-Course attendance: optional/ 4days a week …etc
- Students: few/all brilliant …etc
-Teachers : qualified /holding higher degrees…etc.
topic 2: Why is quality education important in today's world?Write a composition of about 150 words.
Students in grades 1-12 do not pay tuition. College and university students pay tuition, but many earn scholarships or receive loans. Much of the control of American public schools lies in the hands of each local school district. Each school district is governed by a school board; a small committee of people elected by the local community or appointed by the local government. Generally, school districts are divided into elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Elementary schools are composed of students in kindergarten and grades 1-5. Most children attend kindergarten when they are five-years-old. Children begin 1st grade at age six. Middle school is composed of students in grades 6-8 and high school contains grades 9-12.
High school students are required to take a wide variety of courses in English, mathematics, science, and social science. They may also be required to take foreign language or physical education, and they may choose to take music, art, or theatre courses. Many high schools also offer vocational (occupational) training courses. In the United States, education is compulsory for all students until ages sixteen to eighteen depending on the individual state. Most high school students graduate at the age of seventeen or eighteen-years-old. They graduate after they have successfully passed all the studied courses. Afterwards, they may enroll in colleges or universities to pursue their higher (tertiary/postsecondary) education. They have the option of attending a two-year community college (also known as a junior college) before applying to a four-year university. Admission to community college is easier, and class sizes are often smaller than in a university.
I. Comprehension :
1.Are the following statements true or false?
a. The United States has a national-level system of education.
b. Each state has a department of education for its own.
C .Tuition is free for students in grades 1-12.
2. Answer the following questions according to the text.
a. Why is the American educational system non national?
b. Do all university students pay tuition?
c. Is education in the United States compulsory for young people?
d.Which grades does an American high school contain?
e.What do students need to graduate from high school?
3.What or who do the underlined words refer to in the text?
a.They §1 b. the country §1 c. their §3
II. TEXT EXPLORATION
1.Find in the text words or phrases that are closet in meaning to the following
a. rules §1 b. obligatory §3 c. to register §3
2.Join the pairs of sentences below with the words in brackets. Make any necessary changes.
1.About forty million people have limited skills in reading and writing. American education seems very successful. (Despite the fact that)
2. Algeria has a national system of education. In America, it is not the case. (while)
3.Complete sentence (b) so that it means the same as sentence (a):
1. a. Educationalists said, “The US education system is successful.”
b. Educationalists said …………
2. a. “Do your task,” the teacher instructed James.
b. The teacher instructed.......................
3. We won’t improve our education system if we don’t take things more seriously.
Unless……………………………………………………………………………
4.a)In my country , most schools are run by the state.
b. In my country, the state…………
4. Classify the following words in a table according to the pronunciation of their final‘s’:
beliefs- classes- rooms-libraries-books- scholars –colleges –states-
III. Written expression:
Topic 1:In a composition of about 150 words, describe your school of dreams(ideal school).The notes below might help you.
-Buildings : modern architecture.
-Classrooms: air conditioned/decorated / interactive boards/ computers/laptops …etc
-Library : digital devices/read /online books…etc
-Programme : interesting / challenging topics…etc
-Course attendance: optional/ 4days a week …etc
- Students: few/all brilliant …etc
-Teachers : qualified /holding higher degrees…etc.
topic 2: Why is quality education important in today's world?Write a composition of about 150 words.