As I mentioned in the previous forum, I went to school here in Mexico and the United States. Now, I believe it is important to note that each state has its own policies regarding their educational system, even within the state, each school district employs different policies. For example, my brother and I went to a different school districts and our schedules were different. Therefore, it is almost impossible to talk about an educational system as a whole.
The similarities between the United States and the Mexican educational systems I have found (from my personal experience) are the following:
Similarities:
- A minimum day a week.
In Mexico it was every Friday and in the US it was every Wednesday.
- PTA
There´s a parents
association both in the US and Mexico. However, in the US teachers get more involved.
Differences:
- Afterschool programs
In Mexico there were no afterschool programs or club, in the US there were at least 4 that I knew of in my niece´s elementary school and about 10 in the high school I went to.
- Free or low cost meals.
In the US, the school provided free meals for low income families and low cost meals for low-middle and upper-middle income families. In Mexico everyone pays for their meal or otherwise have to bring their meal from home.
- Student´s council
In the US, students could get involved into school events and even give their opinions on planning the events. Here in Mexico, students only participate in events but do not give their opinions as to what can be done for the events.
- Library
The school I went to and the schools I have worked for here in Mexico do not have a working library. The schools I went to in the US all had working libraries with computers and internet access.