Advantages and disadvantages

From what has been said above, many of the American educational system’s advantages and disadvantages become clear.

The system provides formal education for a relatively large portion of the population, but the quality of that education is not as high as it might be if the system were more selective. (Most experts agree that people who earn Ph.D. degrees in the United States are as well prepared to work in their disciplines as are people who earn Ph.D.s in other systems. Below the Ph.D. level, though, many systems offer more depth in students’ chosen disciplines than the American one does.

The system’s decentralisation serves to insulate educational institutions from national political entanglements and give citizens some voice in what happens in their local schools. Schools can modify their curricula to accommodate needs and conditions that pertain only to their own areas. On the other hand, the decentralization makes it relatively easy for an out-spoken and committed minority in a given community to enroll local schools in controversy. The decentralization also makes it possible for particular schools to maintain low standards if they wish or feel compelled to do so.

“Well-rounded” people, such as those the American system hopes to produce, stand a better chance of becoming “good citizens” (as the Americans use that term) since they have a general familiarity with many topics and can keep themselves informed about matters of public policy. On the other hand, well-rounded people might not be as well equipped to begin working in specific occupations because they have not learned as much in school about specific areas of endeavor as have students whose systems permitted earlier and more intensive specialization.

The American educational system, like any other, is integrally related to the values and assumptions of the society that surrounds it. American ideas about equality, individualism, and freedom underlie the educational system. Whatever its advantages and disadvantages, the system will retain its current general characteristics as long as the values and assumptions that predominate in the surrounding society continue to hold away.

Reading Comprehension Check

1. Why do many Americans want to receive college or university education?

2. What institutions provide post-school education in the USA?

3. What are some differences between a) a community college and a four-year college; b) a four-year college and a university?

4. What degrees are available at liberal arts colleges?

5. Do American public colleges and universities charge tuition?

6. What activities do American students often become involved in during their undergraduate years?

7. How do you understand the task of American higher education to produce “well-rounded” people?

Assignments

1. Go through the list of American educational terms. Be able to explain the notions they describe.

full time student/work

part-time student/education

to enroll in college

campus

to live on campus

community college

four-year college

liberal arts college (school)

the freshman (year)

a fresher n

the sophomore (year)

the junior (year)

the senior (year)

graduate student

elective course

major n, v, adj

minor n, adj

academic year

failing/passing grade

student union

fraternity

sorority

chapter

dormitory

the fall/spring semester

alma mater

in-state student

out-of-state student

public/private college

scholarship

loan n

adult/continuing education

matriculate v

creditтn

2. Study the word and phase list you will need to discuss the text.

beyond high school

to go to college

career/job advancement

personal growth

to exemplify

to offer graduate studies/degrees

to earn a degree

to get credit

to attend summer sessions

need-based financial aid

merit-based aid

to be eligible for (aid)

alien n

to improve job-related skills

to keep up with new techniques in one’s field

access to (ex. education)

to underlie the system

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