American Education vs. German Education Research Paper
American Education vs. German Education Research Paper
In a rapidly changing world, it is important to keep up with the ever increasing demands of potential students and the companies seeking to employ them. Young educated people with the skill-sets necessary to be a valued are the biggest contributors to the workforce. As the market becomes more saturated with graduates possessing the tools required of employers, it is vital to maintain a competitive and modernized education system in order to train the best possible young adults to meet employer demands. The most important reason for this, given the fast pace things change in the world, is that if action is not taken in sufficient time it is possible for our youth to be left behind.
German System Germany is a federation of 16 sovereign states. According to the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (Grundgesetz), Article 7 states that the entire school system is under the supervision of the state. Each state is for the most part, accountable for their education system, and each has a different system (Organization of the German school system). The foundation of each German state’s school system is similar as they each have three levels: elementary, secondary, and higher education (Hainmuller vol. 60). Most German schools are state institutions, with the only exceptions being the religious or academic private schools.
The last three years of secondary schooling, referred to as upper level secondary schooling, or Oberstufe, is where a very clear distinction is made in which direction the student will take. These distinctions are the “practical, skill-based education and the liberal, theory-based education” (Hainmuller vol. 61). As is shown in the illustration above, the Gymnasium and the Gesamtschule are the two primary means by which students can advance to the University. Although two ways exist, the Gymnasium is a much more common route for students to take in order to advance to the
In a rapidly changing world, it is important to keep up with the ever increasing demands of potential students and the companies seeking to employ them. Young educated people with the skill-sets necessary to be a valued are the biggest contributors to the workforce. As the market becomes more saturated with graduates possessing the tools required of employers, it is vital to maintain a competitive and modernized education system in order to train the best possible young adults to meet employer demands. The most important reason for this, given the fast pace things change in the world, is that if action is not taken in sufficient time it is possible for our youth to be left behind.
German System Germany is a federation of 16 sovereign states. According to the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (Grundgesetz), Article 7 states that the entire school system is under the supervision of the state. Each state is for the most part, accountable for their education system, and each has a different system (Organization of the German school system). The foundation of each German state’s school system is similar as they each have three levels: elementary, secondary, and higher education (Hainmuller vol. 60). Most German schools are state institutions, with the only exceptions being the religious or academic private schools.
The last three years of secondary schooling, referred to as upper level secondary schooling, or Oberstufe, is where a very clear distinction is made in which direction the student will take. These distinctions are the “practical, skill-based education and the liberal, theory-based education” (Hainmuller vol. 61). As is shown in the illustration above, the Gymnasium and the Gesamtschule are the two primary means by which students can advance to the University. Although two ways exist, the Gymnasium is a much more common route for students to take in order to advance to the
Cited: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2004, (NCES 2003), June 23, 2004 (cited hereafter as Digest 2005). Hainmueller, Jens & Hiscox, Michael J., 2006. “Learning to Love Globalization: Education and Individual Attitudes Toward International Trade,” International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol Hüfner, Klaus. 2003. “Higher Education in Europe,” vol 28, Issue 2 July, pages 145 - 163 Hainmueller, Jens & Hiscox, Michael J., 2007 Boone, R. G. Education in the United States. 1889. Daudet, Yves & Singh, Kishore. The Right to education: an analysis of UNESCO’s standard- setting instruments, Education policies and strategies, 2001. Barnard, Henry (editor) American Journal of Education, 1855–82. 31 vols. Washington, 1892. Whitty, Geoff. Making Sense of Education Policy. London: Paul Chapman Publishing, 2002.