Uk vs Usa Education

In the United Kingdom the academic schooling system is unequal compared to the United

States education system. Many schools in the UK are at a slow pace whereas schools in the U.S

are always pushing their students to earn their full potential. UK schools are known to be much

more disciplined whereas the US is very lenient. In the UK, education is all combined in one

whereas in the US education is broken down grade wise. This makes the US to be stronger as

each year of the students academic life they focus on one subject rather than having it mixed

up. The US push their students by concentrating on one subject throughout each school year.

Schools in England have smaller school sizes, smaller classes and uniforms. The uniform is a form of discipline and a representation of the school the student attends. American schools have around 400 kids per grade and are not required to wear uniforms. UK schools are split up into 2 sections. From ages 4-11 children are based in ‘’primary school’’. From ages 12-16 students are settled in ‘’secondary school’’. In the US students stay at school until the age of 18, however with parental consent they are permitted to drop out at the age of 16. In England, “no one is allowed to leave school until he or she is 16, and those who wish to stay longer may do so without any payment”
Lyle, Garry. England. Malaysia. Chelsea House Publishers

The academic system is combined in the UK during each ‘’year’’(grade) students are placed in Science, Math and English. In science students learn Biology Chemistry and Physics each year until Year 10. Also Math is combined into one. In the U.S,science and math is broken down per year. Students are required to take Environmental science in 9th grade, Biology in 10th grade, Chemistry in 11th grade and Physics in 12th grade; however this is optional to students. This strategy is bound to assist students and to increase their academic knowledge. Focusing on one topic per year allows students to retain information for a long period of time.

For High schoolers in the US junior and senior year are two very important years, for Secondary school pupils in the UK, year 10 and year 11 are two crucial years of their secondary school Students in the UK are prepared for their big exams, GCSE (General Certificate of
Secondary Education). “At the end of Year 11, students take national standardized exams, the
GCSE exams. They may opt to sit higher (possible results: A* - D) or lower (C-G) level exams.
However, English, Math and Science are required subjects, and UK universities typically expect students to sit at least five GCSE exams”http://www.fulbright.org.uk/study-in-the-uk/k-12-study/uk-school-system.
GCSE exams are exams that are assessed through examinations and controlled assessments depending on the subject and coursework that are sent to exam boards, results usually come through at the end of August as exams are taken in June/July. Most students enjoy and do well on subjects that they personally choose.

On the other hand the Amercian students take the SAT in order to get into a good college of their choice. The SAT is optional but is recommended by school guidance counselors and parents. “The SAT® is a highly reliable standardized measure of college readiness used in the admission process at nearly all four-year, not-for-profit undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States” www.collegeboard.com. Results come in two weeks after students sit the real test. The scores allow students to see where they are at and if they want to improve. The SAT can be taken up to 3 times or more, however if the SAT is taken more than three times, it usually gives a unsatisfactory to colleges. The SAT consists of three sections: Math,Reading and writing,which are scored out of 800 points, the total score is out of 2400. The majority of students are motivated to get over a 1700 as this score is most suitable for acceptances at certain colleges. Also a high SAT score can provide scholarships.

An advantage of taking the GCSE exam is that it is free and the school you attend prepares you from the Start of year nine.High schools do not prepare students for the SAT,students are required or guided to take SAT classes right before their upcoming test, or to study alone with a SAT prep book. However another test that is prepared for in high school is the New Jersey state exam, HSPA. The HSPA is a mandatory exam taken by Juniors (11th graders) all over New Jersey, this exam,”measure whether they have gained the knowledge and skills identified in the Core
Curriculum Content Standards. These standards, adopted by the State Board of Education, identify what students should know and be able to do at the end of various benchmark years” - http://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/hs/hspa_guide_english.pdf .It is essential for Juniors to pass this test if they want to graduate, with a high school diploma. The majority of teachers believe the HSPA is an unnecessary test. This test is an extra weight on the students shoulder as many are already struggling with SATs.

The American schooling system is said to be extremely efficient and compromising. Students take school extremely important as going to college is a big deal in the United States, as it is one of the most successful countries in the world. Since the students in Britain have an option to opt out at the age of 16 compels the teens to leave school due to lazyness and no dedication, this occurs mainly around under privileged kids. Most of the students usally do newspaper rounds to earn some money. In the States, students have dreams and with the comprehensive college opportunites they have, they are extremely focused into doing well and making themselves the best. Students fight for grades, and there is extreme competition observed where as, schools in England competition is usually seen in their universities.