Primary education in the United States
Encyclopedia
Primary education in the United States typically refers to the first six years of formal education
in most jurisdictions. Primary education
may also be referred to as elementary education and most schools offering these programs are referred to as elementary school
s. Preschool
programs, which are less formal and usually not mandated by law, are generally not considered part of primary education. The first year of primary education is commonly referred to as kindergarten
and begins at or around age 5. Subsequent years are usually numbered being referred to as first grade, second grade, and so forth. Students graduating from fifth grade, typically the last primary year, are normally age 11.
In 2001 there were 92,858 elementary schools (68,173 public, 24,685 private) in the United States, a figure which includes all schools that teach students from grades one through eight. According to the National Center for Education Statics, in the fall of 2009 almost 3.5 million students attended public primary schools. In addition, 1,085,000 children were projected to attend public preschool or prekindergarten in the fall of 2009.
5- or 6-year public or private elementary school. Elementary school
usually runs from kindergarten
through either grade 5 or grade 6, depending on the region and time in history. Upon successful completion of their Primary education students then proceed to Middle School, also known as, Junior High School. Additionally, students may have the option of attending elementary schools that include all eight primary grades. In this case the student will directly proceed to High School.
In most US primary schools students have all their core classes from one or two homeroom teachers (as opposed to Middle and High Schools that typically have students rotate from one specialized teacher to the next throughout the day). In some primary schools, when funding and supplies are adequate, additional teachers are hired to instruct students in areas such as Art and Music.
In addition, the Obama Administration is urging the development and growth of new State funded programs, such as Head Start. Head Start
, a program under the United States Department of Health and Human Services
, was recorded in 2007 as serving over 22 million pre-school aged children and their families. Head Start
works to educate the whole child in addition to providing health and nutrition services to low-income families.
).
The 2007 a survey conducted by the American Federation of Teachers
(also known as the AFT) reported that the average salary for an American Teacher was $51,009. This is also recorded as the first time in history the average pay for teachers has exceeded the $50,000 mark.
of 2001 public schools receiving government funding are required to test and assess student progress each year. Individual States and not the Federal Government are required to develop their own set of standards by which they measure student progress.
Although Standardized Testing is seen as a valid way for measuring content knowledge and progress in areas such as Math and Reading at the primary level there is much dispute amongst the scientific community on how to measure the progress of scientific knowledge.
In 1996 the National Research Council (NRC) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) got together with other Science organizations to develop the ‘’National Science Education Standards’’. In the past simply the study of and presentation of core content knowledge for areas such as: physical, life, earth and space sciences; was seen as sufficient. After the development of the new ‘’Science Standards’’ concern shifted from teaching content alone to learning science “disciplines in the context of inquiry, technology, personal [and] social perspectives”
Education in the United States
Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
in most jurisdictions. Primary education
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
may also be referred to as elementary education and most schools offering these programs are referred to as elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s. Preschool
Preschool education
Preschool education is the provision of learning to children before the commencement of statutory and obligatory education, usually between the ages of zero and three or five, depending on the jurisdiction....
programs, which are less formal and usually not mandated by law, are generally not considered part of primary education. The first year of primary education is commonly referred to as kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
and begins at or around age 5. Subsequent years are usually numbered being referred to as first grade, second grade, and so forth. Students graduating from fifth grade, typically the last primary year, are normally age 11.
In 2001 there were 92,858 elementary schools (68,173 public, 24,685 private) in the United States, a figure which includes all schools that teach students from grades one through eight. According to the National Center for Education Statics, in the fall of 2009 almost 3.5 million students attended public primary schools. In addition, 1,085,000 children were projected to attend public preschool or prekindergarten in the fall of 2009.
Elementary school (Kindergarten through grade 4/5/6)
Students may attend either a5- or 6-year public or private elementary school. Elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
usually runs from kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
through either grade 5 or grade 6, depending on the region and time in history. Upon successful completion of their Primary education students then proceed to Middle School, also known as, Junior High School. Additionally, students may have the option of attending elementary schools that include all eight primary grades. In this case the student will directly proceed to High School.
In most US primary schools students have all their core classes from one or two homeroom teachers (as opposed to Middle and High Schools that typically have students rotate from one specialized teacher to the next throughout the day). In some primary schools, when funding and supplies are adequate, additional teachers are hired to instruct students in areas such as Art and Music.
Preschool
Under the Obama administration, recognition of importance of early childhood education is growing. As a result, many private schools, and some public schools, are offering pre-kindergarten (also known as Preschool or Pre-K) as part of the Primary, or Elementary, school experience. According to the authors Bennett, Finn, and Cribb of The Educated Child: A Parent's Guide from Preschool Through Eighth Grade, the first three to five years of an individual’s life can be the most critical period of their education. During this time period young minds work diligently on several physical, intellectual and emotional developments including, but not limited to: Growth of Curiosity, Formation of character and personality, Social, Brain and Language development.In addition, the Obama Administration is urging the development and growth of new State funded programs, such as Head Start. Head Start
Head Start
The Head Start Program is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families....
, a program under the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
, was recorded in 2007 as serving over 22 million pre-school aged children and their families. Head Start
Head Start
The Head Start Program is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families....
works to educate the whole child in addition to providing health and nutrition services to low-income families.
Teachers' pay
A study of seven industrialized nations determined that in 2006, the average starting salary of American public primary school teachers with the minimum qualifications was $34,900. In this regard the United States was second only to Germany (non-US salaries were converted to US dollars at purchasing power parityPurchasing power parity
In economics, purchasing power parity is a condition between countries where an amount of money has the same purchasing power in different countries. The prices of the goods between the countries would only reflect the exchange rates...
).
The 2007 a survey conducted by the American Federation of Teachers
American Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers is an American labor union founded in 1916 that represents teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff, and nurses and other healthcare professionals...
(also known as the AFT) reported that the average salary for an American Teacher was $51,009. This is also recorded as the first time in history the average pay for teachers has exceeded the $50,000 mark.
National Science Standards
Under the No Child Left Behind ActNo Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
of 2001 public schools receiving government funding are required to test and assess student progress each year. Individual States and not the Federal Government are required to develop their own set of standards by which they measure student progress.
Although Standardized Testing is seen as a valid way for measuring content knowledge and progress in areas such as Math and Reading at the primary level there is much dispute amongst the scientific community on how to measure the progress of scientific knowledge.
In 1996 the National Research Council (NRC) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) got together with other Science organizations to develop the ‘’National Science Education Standards’’. In the past simply the study of and presentation of core content knowledge for areas such as: physical, life, earth and space sciences; was seen as sufficient. After the development of the new ‘’Science Standards’’ concern shifted from teaching content alone to learning science “disciplines in the context of inquiry, technology, personal [and] social perspectives”
See also
- Education in the United StatesEducation in the United StatesEducation in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
- Secondary education in the United StatesSecondary education in the United StatesIn most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
- Primary educationPrimary educationA primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
- Education in New York CityEducation in New York CityEducation in New York City is provided by a vast number of public and private institutions. The city's public school system, the New York City Department of Education, is the largest in the world, and New York is home to some of the most important libraries, universities, and research centers in...