Parents’ involvement often positively impacts their kids’ education and academic scores. Hence, as a guardian, if you wish to be more involved in your little one’s education (particularly after relocating to a popular country like the USA), the foremost step is understanding the nation’s educational system. Every country has its unique educational structure, process, and learning opportunities for students of all levels.
Of course, the emergence of academic writing platforms like Myassignmenthelp.com, offering business assignment help (and writing guidance on 100 other subjects), has made things relatively easier for countless learners. Still, (as a parent) due diligence beforehand in navigating the educational system allows you to best set your kid up for imminent success.
Grasping the Education System in the USA
According to the Immigrant Parent and Early Childhood Programs, approximately 20% of the young population in 19 states in the USA comprise young immigrant children. So, it’s safe to assume that every child in America gets an equal opportunity to access public schooling regardless of their background!
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The nation’s schooling system is divided into primary, secondary, and post-secondary stages! While primary and secondary levels of schooling are a must, the post-secondary option is optional (college learning or attending vocational programs).
- The school year in the USA typically starts in August or the beginning of September.
- It concludes at the end of May or the initial part of June.
- During December, most schools have winter breaks.
- In March or April, they enjoy spring breaks.
- Some even provide extended time-offs during Summer.
Familiarizing with the US Formal School-Levels
Each school year is considered a grade. Hence, the formal schooling levels last for 12 years. The right year for parents to admit their kids to school is 5-6 years, thus ensuring they complete their mandatory schooling by 17 or 18.
The country’s public schools are categorized into districts. Each district operates several primary and secondary-level institutions.
Below are Hints at What to Expect
- The elementary or primary level will feature KG to 5th grade. Kids 3-4 years old can attend preschool, although it’s optional.
- The secondary level stretches from 6th -to 12th grade. It also features junior and conventional high schools.
- Usually, districts in the ‘States’ keep 9th to 12th grade for high school, and once the learner completes their final schooling year, they’re awarded an HS diploma.
Understanding Higher Education Levels in America
Level 1 – Undergraduate Course Learning
After earning a high-school diploma, students can enroll in undergraduate courses from their desired college. Usually, a UG course spans for 4 years. The initial 2 years feature an expansive coverage of course subjects, while the last 2 allow learners to pursue focused learning in their chosen stream and acquire the subject specialization.
Level 2- Graduate Education for Acquiring Master’s Degree
After securing the UG course degree on the subject specialization, candidates must carefully ponder the Graduation courses for a Master’s degree. It is more so if they intend to enter a certain profession and build a sustaining and rewarding career.
Some positions like engineering, library science, education, and behavioral health require candidates to have Master’s/PG course certifications. Other eligibility parameters also exist and can also be negotiable. However, a graduate certificate is mandatory for getting a job in the USA.
Like most countries, graduation programs are a college or university division. Candidates must sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to secure admission into an institution. For law courses, students must take the LSAT and MCAT for medical schools and the GMAT/GRE for business schools.
Graduation course takers pursuing Masters take 1-2 years to complete their learning. One of the most common course pursuits in America (especially for international students worldwide) is MBA, which spans 2 years. But if you opt for a Masters in Journalism, it takes 1 year to complete.
During their MS degree pursuits, students mostly receive classroom learning. However, a grad student must compile a lengthy research assignment known as a Master’s thesis or finish a master’s project.
3rd Level – Pursuit of Doctorate Certificate
After a master’s degree, students can also obtain a Ph.D. doctorate. It takes 3+ years to finish the course learning and secure the doctorate certificate. But for international students, it may take 5-6 years.
For the initial 2 years, students enroll in classes or attend seminars. Another year is taken for conducting research and crafting a thesis paper having their unique views, designs and research yet to be published.
Additionally, most notable US universities offering doctorate certificates require learners to possess reading knowledge in 2 foreign languages and spend an extended time as residents to clear their qualifying tests and pass the oral exam on the same dissertation coverage.
Navigating the US Grading System
Another facet worth familiarizing with is the grade tally. In America, term tests, academic assignments, and other team-building projects are valued greatly. Each is graded on an alphabet scale (A – F) and depending on a student’s performance, they are given a grade corresponding to a specific percentile.
Check the Table Below.
| Grading Letter | Percentile |
| A (Excellent) | 90-100% |
| B (Very Good) | 80-89% |
| C (Good) | 70-79% |
| D (Average) | 60-69% |
| E (Poor/Fail) | 0-59% |
Furthermore, the maximum GPA (Grade Point Average) is 4.0, corresponding to all straight A+. B denotes a 3.0 (GPA), and with every point reduction, the letter grades decline. The lowest GPA one can achieve is 1.0. Students must secure above 60%. Anything below will be deemed as poor or fail.
Other features of the American Advanced Education System
The US Education system is flexible and offers diverse institution. Besides this, other noteworthy features include as follows –
Dynamic classroom environment, textbook reading, homework on class discussions, term assignments, subject lectures, learning seminars, and more.
Professors present grades based on performance in short exams or quizzes, class participation, mid-term performance, and on-schedule submission of one (or more) lab reports or research papers and final exam performance.
Every course comes with credits for the number of credit hours met. A full-fledged course will comprise 12-15 credit hours for 4-5 courses each term.
End Note:
The USA is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after locations for international students. So, if you have certain life aspirations, unhesitantly pursue learning in the USA from an early age.