The United States education system has some differences compared to the education systems of Latin America. If you aspire to work as a teacher in the U.S., it is essential that you know its main characteristics, as this will be key to preparing yourself adequately and facilitating your adaptation to the new work environment.
The education system in the United States is decentralized. The administration of the teaching network and the financial management of public institutions falls mainly on the states and local districts. That is, although there is a national Department of Education, the curricula, degree requirements, policies, and school rules vary by region of the country.
Regarding access to education, there are free and paid primary and secondary education institutions. Continue reading to understand how they work.
In the USA, students can attend three main types of schools: public schools, charter schools, or private schools, in addition to homeschooling.
These are free public schools for students, funded by the government mainly from tax revenues.
Tuition is free, and the basic requirement to enroll students is that they reside in the same district where the school is located.
In public schools, the school curriculum is standardized, defined mostly by federal and state regulations, seeking uniformity in the education and evaluation of students.
Each school district manages their own schools. Therefore, there is not much flexibility in budget control, nor to implement other teaching methods or specific educational approaches in each of these institutions.
These are also free schools for students, but funded both by government funds and other sources, such as private contributions. The student admission process varies by school, which may include analysis of academic history, lotteries, interviews, or aptitude tests.
Charter schools are independent public schools, usually run by boards of directors made up of parents, educators, or members of the community. They are governed by regulations defined in their charter.
A "charter" is a contract between an authorizing entity and the group that proposes to operate the school. This contract establishes the terms and conditions under which the charter school will operate. The entities vary by district, but generally include local (school district) or state education agencies, a university, or a municipality.
Simply put, it works like this:
A group of people (educators, parents, community members) presents a proposal to the authorizing entity to open a charter school. The entity reviews the proposal and the quality of the educational plan and approves the opening of the institution through a “charter”. If the school does not meet the standards established in the contract, the agency that granted the authorization can revoke it and close the institution.
These schools have more flexibility than traditional public schools in terms of student admission requirements, staff hiring, curriculum design, and budget management. For example, they are allowed to implement different teaching methods and specialized pedagogical approaches, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), or arts and humanities.
These are schools funded with private funds, through the payment of tuition and monthly fees by students, and by donations.
Private schools can be religious or non-religious, and offer a variety of educational approaches and philosophies. Some private schools specialize in education for students with special needs or in alternative methods, such as Montessori or Waldorf.
Some private schools are very selective in their admission process and may require exams, evaluation of academic history, or letters of recommendation.
These schools are administered by their own boards of trustees or boards of directors, and have more freedom to establish their own admission standards, curriculum, and educational philosophy.
The school year in the United States may vary by state and school district, but it is generally divided into two semesters: the first from September to December, and the second from January to June. In some private schools, they may divide the academic calendar into three trimesters.
School holidays also vary, but generally include a winter vacation period (December-January) and a spring or summer break. In addition, holidays such as Halloween or Thanksgiving, among others.
Other common school celebrations are graduation and the prom, which occur at the end of the academic year, usually in May or June.
Education in the United States also stands out for its wide range of extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, arts, and sciences, among others. American education seeks to integrate technology and emphasize an inclusive approach, considering the levels of each student, special needs, multiculturalism, among other factors that make it quite complete and advanced.
In some school districts, the 4-day school week has been implemented in recent years, with Mondays or Fridays off.
School levels in the USA are divided into Early Childhood or Preschool education (optional), and Primary and Secondary education (obligatory).
The obligatory school period in the United States lasts thirteen years: six years of Primary (from Kindergarten to 5th grade), and seven years of Secondary (from 6th to 12th grade).
Early childhood education includes the Preschool, which is optional.
Normally the educational focus is on the social and emotional development of children up to 5 years of age.
Primary education covers the levels of Elementary School, from Kindergarten to 5th grade, with students from 5 to 10 years old.
This stage is obligatory, and it is where children learn basic reading, writing, mathematics, and arts skills, among others.
Secondary education includes Middle School or Junior High School (from 6th to 8th grade) and High School (from 9th to 12th grade).
In Middle School, the school curriculum includes different preparatory subjects for high school, such as exact sciences and humanities.
In High School, students can choose more specialized courses and prepare for university or the job market.
The grades of High School are also known as:
After finishing high school, students can choose to go to university, which is usually paid, although there are different scholarship possibilities.
Now that you have a general idea of the American education system, you are one step closer to fulfilling your dream of working in the United States as a teacher!
To take the next step towards your future as an international teacher, register for free on EdBinder and connect with many schools with open job vacancies for Latino teachers. Dare to live this experience and enjoy the benefits of teaching abroad!
