USA


Education in USA

In U.S. there is no national school system nor is there any national framework of laws that determines and prescribes the curricula or asserts control on any level of education. The federal government plays an important role in education, but does not take an responsibility to establish or license schools or govern educational institutions.
This decentralized nature of U.S. education had its origins in the early history of the United States, where it was customary on the part of each locality to establish and support its own school, and take the responsibility of educating the children, based on a strong set of priorities, values and needs.
Knowing about this historical fact helps us in understanding why state and local governments even today retain the primary responsibility for administering elementary and secondary education in the U.S.

U.S. education starts with 1 to 2 years of pre-school education, which is followed by 12 years of regular schooling. This is followed by a 4-stage higher education degree system – Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctorate.
In addition to this, there are various non-degree certificates and diplomas, and also the special education services, adult basic and continuing education, leisure learning programs, and continuing professional education and training programs.

It is mandatory that the completion of each level or stage is a prerequisite for access to the next level of education. There is also no uniformity in assessment and evaluation tools used to determine learning needs at different levels of education, and in different states across U.S.
What is the U.S. dollar to world’s currency, U.S. education is to world’s education. It is not only because of U.S. education’s ready global acceptance, but also because of its provision for further avenues in terms of research and development.
U.S. education is the foundation on which the mammoth U.S. industry and economy stands. It has made U.S. a global power and a nation of peace and prosperity, and also enabled the true realization of what U.S. Declaration of Independence proclaimed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to be inalienable rights of every citizen.