1、英语国家社会与文化入门英语国家社会与文化入门(下册）下册）The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking CountriesIntroduction(Book Two)The United States of AmericaUnit 8 Education in the United States Quiz Give the English and a brief explanation for the following:1 小学 2 教育委员会 3 高等教育 4 军人重新安置法案 5 肯定性行动计划（平权法案）Focal Points d
2、ifferent education laws for different states several levels of schooling curricula for students compulsory education for all children equal education opportunities for minority groups higher education system varieties of colleges and universities trends in degree programs the Servicemens Readjustmen
3、t Act Affirmative Action programs non-traditional studentsThis Unit Is Divided into Nine SectionsI.Going to School in America TodayII.Education-A Local MatterIII.What an American Student LearnsIV.Education in a New NationV.Learning to Be World CitizensVI.Higher EducationVII.Selecting a College or Un
4、iversityVIII.Trends in Degree ProgramsIX.Education for AllI.Going to School in America Today American children go to school from kindergarten to the 12th grade,they attend classes for an average of five hours a day.The goal of education to achieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with t
5、he knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their individual and general public welfare.public schools take up about 90%of American students;boards of education at the state and/or district level guide the spending,make decisions about the school curriculum,teacher standards and certification,
6、and the overall measurement of student progressprivate schools take up slightly over 10%;have the freedom to use the fees they collect and make decisions about the running of the schools four out of five private schools are run by religious groups,and religious teachings are a part of the curriculum
7、 A private school in Georgia,USII.Education A Local Matter each state in the U.S.has its own laws regulating education;though age limits to attend schools vary,every child is guaranteed up to 13 years of education;some states play a strong role in the selection of learning material while others leav
8、e the decisions to local schools;boards of education often add courses on issues of public concerns to school curriculumIII.What an American Student Learns Elementary School grades kindergarten(K)through 8(in some places,includes only grades K 6).Secondary school grades 9 12,popularly called“high sc
9、hool”;“junior high school”includes grades 7 9;“senior high school”usually includes grades 9 12.CurriculumElementary school mathematics;language arts;penmanship;science;social studies;music;art;and physical education.some schools offer computer courses,or a second language courseSecondary school requ
10、ired subjects:English,mathematics,science,social studies and physical education School boards differ greatly from one district to another in the amount of class time students spend on these basic subjects.Elective courses Electives can range from specialized academic to vocational subjects;e.g.a stu
11、dent finishes required units American history,he/she can take electives European history or world political issues.Some high schools specialize in particular types of subjects-business education,or industrial trades,or foreign languages.IV.Education in a New Nation In Massachusetts The Puritans foun
12、ded the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630;They believed that every person should be able to read the Bible,and set up a system of education in the colony,eg.-In 1636,Harvard College was founded;-In 1634 and 1638,passed laws using tax to support schools;The Puritans introduced two practices:compulsory
13、 education for all children and public taxation for schools.The statue of John Harvard,founder of Harvard University Harvard University:then and now In other colonies In Pennsylvania,decisions about education were left to the leaders of each church.In southern colonies,the rich hired tutors for thei
14、r children,or sent them to England for their education.Throughout the colonies,young people could learn reading by becoming an apprentice.The 10th amendment to the Constitution guarantees that certain power remains in the states.At the end of the 18th century,and till now,elementary education in the
15、 U.S.was and is in local hands.V.Learning to Be World Citizens The postwar political,social,economic and technological changes had impacts on education.The Supreme Court ruled that the practice of segregating blacks into separate schools was unconstitutional.(1954)U.S.Marshals escorted Ruby Bridges
16、to an all-white school on Nov.14,1960.The inquiry method of learning,focusing on solving problems rather than memorizing facts,became popular.More science courses were added to the curriculum.Federal government spending on education increased.VI.Higher Education About one third of high school gradua
17、tes go on to university.Students are admitted into college on the basis of:a)their high school records;b)recommendations from their high school teachers;c)the impression they make during interviews at the university;and d)their scores on the SATs.Higher education system in the US Four categories of
18、institutions-1.the university,which may contain:a)several colleges for undergraduate studentsb)one or more graduate schools for masters or a doctoral degree;2.the four-year undergraduate institution-the college;3.the technical training institution 4.the two-year,or community college.University of Ca
19、lifornia,Berkeley President Obama attending Barnard College Commencement Higher education institutions might be publicly or privately funded.The quality and reputation of an institution is determined by its teaching faculty,research facilities;amount of funding,special programs,and how selective the
20、 institution can be in choosing its students.MITs Media Lab VII.Selecting a College or UniversityThings one needs to know(I):entrance requirements Fees degrees offered length of time to earn a degree Degrees offered:At the undergraduate(college)level,a four-year liberal arts course of study,or a bac
21、helor of science(B.S.)is offered.A technical training institution offers such courses as agriculture or business at varying lengths.A community college studies last two years.At the graduate level:Masters and doctors degrees are offered in both the arts and sciences.The courses can be completed in t
22、wo to four years,sometimes even longer.Things one needs to know(II):What curricula does a college or university offer?“major”“electives”What are the requirements for earning a degree?a certain number of credits.a semester”of 10 to 16 weeksThings one needs to know(III):Is the college or university a
23、public institution or a private one?If it is private,is it a religious school?All colleges depend on 3 sources of income student tuition endowments government fundingThings one needs to know(IV)How large is the school?-Some universities have over 100 000 enrollments,and dozens of campuses.-Large uni
24、versities offer the best libraries and facilities,and attracts leading scholars.State University of New York at BuffaloVIII.Trends in Degree ProgramsDuring the 1970s and 1980s,there was a trend away from the traditional liberal arts for pre-professional degrees,preparing students for specific jobs.B
25、ut in recent years,there is a new popularity of liberal arts which shows a return to the early traditions of American education.IX.Education for AllThe Servicemens Readjustment Act/“GI Bill of Rights”The Act promised financial aid to veterans of World War II.By 1955,more than two million veterans ha
26、d used the GI Bill of Rights to go to college.Their outstanding success in higher education had changed the image of who should go to college.Affirmative action programsspecial plans and programs to make up for past inequality by giving special preference to members of minorities seeking jobs or adm
27、ission to college.Problems and solutions Setting quotas of minority students to be admitted felt by many as another form of discrimination.Institutions change to serve the goal of affirmative action in less controversial ways:eg.admitting students who would add diverse talents to the student body.Su
28、ccess these efforts have:American college students are an increasingly diverse group.The number of Women and African-Americans who receive higher education increased.Questions for DiscussionA.What is the goal of education in the United States?Discuss the similarities and differences in Great Britain,the United States and China concerning the goals of education.B.How did American education system begin to develop?C.What do you think of some of the characteristics in education that are particularly American?The End高等教育出版社2015
