I. General Pattern of Education in the USA

Introductory Remarks

American system of higher education is much different from ours. It has been created in the country with another culture and traditions, other social and economic conditions. But nowadays Russia is a participant of the Bologna process, and one of the major actions which must be taken by Russian universities is adoption of Anglo-Saxon model of education. Although American has something that can do a lot for the benefit of Russian higher education, there are also many features that are not suitable for us, even if they are good for their country. The reasons lie not only in the sphere of economy, but also in conformity with other basic elements of the system of education in our country, the system which is highly valued in the USA, as well as in the whole world. Nowadays American educational system is either considered an ideal one, or completely rejected. Both happen in case of incorrect comparative analysis of Russian and American systems of education. It seems sensible to get deeper into the subject.

I. General Pattern of Education in the USA

1. Admission

Admission to American institutions of higher education is possible on completion of high school. Usually there is no admission examination required by a state university for those who have finished high school within the state. Sometimes a certain pattern of high school studies is necessary, and some state universities require a certain scholastic average, or average of high school grades. Private colleges and universities, especially the largest, such as Harvard, Princeton and Yale, have rigid scholastic requirements for entrance, including an examination. Usually the criteria of the selection are:

1. high school records;

2. recommendations from high school teachers;

3. the impression that applicants make during interviews at the university;

4. their scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

2. Categories of institution.

The system of higher education in the United States is complex. It comprises four categories of institution:

1. The university, which may contain:

· Several colleges for undergraduate students seeking a Bachelor’s

four-year degree;

· One or more graduate schools for those continuing in specialized studies beyond the Bachelor’s degree to obtain a Master’s or Doctoral degree;

2. The four-year undergraduate institution – the college – most of which are not a part of university;

3. The technical training institution, at which high school graduates may take courses ranging from six months to four years in duration, and learn a wide variety of technical skills, from hair styling through business to computer programming;

4. The two-year, or community college, from which students may enter many professions or may go to four colleges or universities.

Any of these institutions, in any category, might be either public or private, depending on the source of its funding. There is no clear or inevitable distinction in terms of quality of education offered between the institutions, which are publicly or privately funded. However, this is not to say that all institutions enjoy equal prestige, nor that there are no material differences among them.

Many universities and colleges, both public and private, have gained reputations for offering particularly challenging courses, and for providing their students with a higher quality of education. The great majority are generally regarded as quite satisfactory. A few other institutions, conversely, provide only adequate education, and students attend classes, pass examinations and graduate as merely competent, but not outstanding, scholars and professionals.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-31