Education in the United States


Educational systems in the US are decentralized, most decisions on programs and funding are taken by local authorities: the school boards. Educational programs (Curriculla) are generally established by each US State. The federal government, through the Department of Education of the United States (equivalent to the Ministry of Education in France), is mainly involved in education funding. Private schools develop their free program in the public system, only 22 States shall establish a list of recommended books. In most states, freedom of choice is total. The legislatures of each state shall establish a minimum set of common knowledge in the programs.
Classes are taught in English in all 50 states, in Spanish in the territory of Puerto Rico. There is no constitutional official language in the United States, but 29 of the 50 states have adopted English as the sole official language (Spanish is a second language in the territory of Puerto Rico, Hawaiian in State of Hawaii and Chamorro in the territory of Guam); French is a language to "facilities" in several parishes of Louisiana. Each school district or school district has the choice of language of instruction, but English is the choice in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Louisiana. Puerto Ricans chose Spanish. Some 90% of US students are enrolled in public.
Main Features
Pre-School, Nursery School or Head Start (preschool): from 3 to 5 years.
Elementary School and Grade School (elementary school, primary school)
Kidgarden (kindergarten): 5-6
1st Grade: 6-7
2nd Grade: 7-8
3rd Grade: 8-9
4th Grade: 9-10
5th Grade: 10-11
Middle School or Junior High School (junior high)
6th Grade: 11-12 (sometimes this class is provided by elementary schools or elementary school in English.)
7th Grade: 12-13
8th Grade: 13-14
High school (High School)
9th Grade (called Freshman year (first year)): 14-15 (sometimes this class is provided by the middle schools)
10th Grade (called Sophomore year (second year)): 15-16
11th Grade (called Junior year (secondary)): 16-17
12th Grade (called Senior year (graduate)): 17-18
College7 or University
Undergraduate (university undergraduate)
College or University (Faculty)
4-year cycle leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Science (BS) or other qualifications as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) for example.
Community college (university community)
Lower division (lower division), 2-year cycle leading to a diploma of Associate of Arts (AA).
Upper division (upper division), 2-year cycle leading to a BA, BS or diplomas as a Bachelor of Technology (BT) for example.
Postgraduate (postgraduate)
Cycle 1 to 3 years leading to a master: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) or other degrees such as Master of Education (MEd) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
Postgraduate in "nationales8 universities"
3-year cycle or more leading to a doctorate: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Theology, Doctor of Medicine or Juris Doctor [law degree]; PhD can also be obtained after at least two years of study after a master.

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