The Structure of the Education System

There is no federal government control over the education system in the United States. Each state's department of education is controlled by an elected board and is divided into local areas. The public school system is funded by state and local governments, and receives only marginal funds from the federal government. The state board is responsible for setting educational policy and for deciding compulsory attendance ages, which in most states are between six and 16. Working within policies established at state level, the school districts build schools, employ teachers, buy equipment, arrange dates of terms and holidays and generally oversee the daily operation of the schools.

Elementary and secondary education normally takes a child through school from the age of six to 18, moving up the system from the first grade to the 12^th grade. Most children start their schooling in kindergarten at age five, where they learn basic math and reading skill. It is important for a child to attend kindergarten; entering first grade without having done so can put him or her at a disadvantage. Private nursery schools for four year olds have become very popular.

Although it is legal to leave school at 16, in practice it is very uncommon. In most states those who have left school without completing the 12^th grade would find it difficult to get a well-paying job.

Grades one through six are spent in elementary school, seven through nine in junior high school, and ten through twelve in senior high school. There are variations from state to state, but the system is more or less the same throughout the country.

Education in the state system is coeducational and comprehensive. Students are obliged to take a certain number of courses depending on their age and grade. The subjects taught are usually mathematics, English, health, physical education, general science and social science. Students choose extra subjects according to individual interest and the career choices.

Upon graduation from high school students are given what's called a high school diploma. Those that wish to go to a university or college are assessed on a summary of their grades and also on the results of national college aptitude tests, which are taken in the last two years of high school. These tests are designed to measure ability in verbal and mathematical skills and are not based on any specific course work. The most well-known of these are the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).