Elementary and Secondary Education (K-12)  

Organization and Administration - Elementary and secondary education in the United States generally spans 12 academic years, or grades. The academic year generally lasts approximately 9 months, or 180 days. Classes normally are in session September to June; however, many districts are now experimenting with year-round schooling as well. The school day for all but the youngest children lasts from about 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Ages for compulsory schooling in the United States vary by state, but all jurisdictions require school attendance. In general, school attendance is required between the ages of 7 and 16. There are about 26 million children in public elementary schools (grades K-6) and almost 17 million children in public secondary schools (grades 7-12). Private elementary and secondary schools enroll another 5 million children.

In elementary school (usually grades 1-6), classes are generally organized under a single teacher who is responsible for teaching all subject areas. In many cases, however, teachers are assisted by subject specialists and/or teaching assistants. For secondary school students (generally grades 7-12), the school day usually consists of several scheduled periods of instruction, each devoted to a single subject or activity. There are usually 5 or 6 periods during a typical school day and students go to a different classroom for each period.

Finance - The funding of public elementary and secondary schools in the United States is also highly decentralized. The federal government provides approximately 7% of total funding, while 47% and 46% of funding comes from the state and the local governments, respectively. Overall, education revenues in the United States totaled $305 billion in 1996-97.

The federal government provides grants to states and school districts to support improved educational quality and reforms. There are two kinds of grants: discretionary, and formula. Discretionary grants are awarded on a competitive basis, while formula grants are awarded to all qualified recipients according to a pre-established formula.

The state governments also provide formula and discretionary grants to school districts and individual schools. In addition, states generally administer to school districts those funds granted to the state by the federal government.

In addition to the funding received from the federal government, the state government, and the private sector, local governments (school districts) receive a significant portion of their budget from local government funds such as bond issues and local property taxes. Historically, using property tax revenues as a significant funding source has often resulted in funding discrepancies between wealthy and poor districts.

Current expenditures per pupil averaged $6,392 for the 1996-97 school year. Expenditure levels varied considerably among the states, ranging from a high of $10,211 in New Jersey to a low of $4,045 in Utah. Expenditure levels often vary widely within states, as well.

Curriculum - There is no standard national curriculum set by law; indeed, the federal government is barred from establishing curriculum. States establish their own guidelines and policies for the curriculum while considerable freedom is often left to local and school authorities. Elementary education is not divided into different tracks (i.e. academic or vocational). However, secondary school students generally have the option to pursue a university preparation or vocational-technical curriculum (although there is a trend to integrate academic and workplace skills for all students).

Public and Private Schools - The great majority of U.S. elementary and secondary students attend public schools; however, 11% attend private institutions. Private schools are often affiliated with a religious group and receive the bulk of their funding from student tuition and donations. There are approximately 85,000 public schools and 26,000 private schools in the United States.

Religion and Education - According to the U.S. Constitution, there is a separation between church and state (public government). Therefore, no public school can have a religious affiliation, teach religious doctrine, or mandate religious coursework.

Student Diversity and Limited English Proficiency - Students in U.S. schools represent nearly every country on Earth and bring over 100 languages to the classroom. The most diverse school districts can, of course, be found in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, New York, Washington, and Chicago. However, most districts today face the challenge of educating an ethnically and linguistically diverse student population. In 1998-99, 38 percent of the nation's students were members of minority groups; in the 100 largest school districts, the proportion of minority students was 67 percent. African-Americans represent the largest minority group in elementary and secondary schools, while the fastest growing group comprises Spanish-speaking students of Latin American origin.

Parental and Community Involvement - Direct parental involvement in the schools and in the education of their children is actively encouraged. Not only are local school districts governed by elected citizens who are often parents of local students, but organizations such as Parent-Teacher Associations are available to increase the involvement of families in the educational progress of their children. In addition, civic organizations, businesses, religious congregations, charities, and social service organizations all cooperate with schools in the education of children and adults. These activities range from informal relations to highly structured partnerships and contracts.

School Choice - School choice is an educational reform initiative that seeks to permit parents greater flexibility in placing their children in the school of their choice (as opposed to a local school district assigning children to schools based solely on their area of residency).

Magnet Schools are public schools that offer a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students from outside the school's immediate geographic area are generally allowed to enroll in an effort to attract a diverse student body. Typically, enrollment at magnet schools is competitive and programs emphasize particular themes such as the fine arts, science and technology, or the humanities.

Charter schools are alternative public schools operated by local communities according to educational plans worked out between the school's founders and the local school district and/or state department of education. These schools follow their own educational approaches and are largely free from compliance with standard regulations. However, they also generally face significant levels of accountability, with their charters being revoked by the granting authority if key educational goals are not met.

Vouchers are government payments to households that are redeemable as tuition payments to authorized private/public schools. At present, voucher programs are not widespread in the United States, and tend to be controversial. Proponents argue that they give children opportunities to improve their education and also create competition that ultimately spurs regular public schools to do a better job. Opponents question whether they actually result in higher student achievement and declare that they undermine the ability of regular public schools to improve by diverting public funds away from them. Moreover, the inclusion of religious schools in voucher programs raises constitutional issues over the separation of church and state.

Students with Disabilities - . All students with disabilities, including children with cognitive, sensory or physical impairments, are entitled to receive a free public education that includes special education programs designed to meet their needs. Federal, state, and local programs are designed to both enable these children to access educational services and achieve to high academic standards. Children with disabilities participate in classes and programs with their non-disabled peers to the extent possible, and are provided related services such as transportation, occupational or speech therapy, and counseling if necessary.

Gifted and Talented Students - Gifted and talented students are served via special programs in regular school settings and, when necessary, special schools and learning opportunities. Accelerated educational programs are also provided which may include early admission to postsecondary education.

Teachers and Teaching - - In 1998, there were approximately 3.1 million elementary and secondary school teachers in the United States. Of that number, 2.7 million were public school teachers while 0.4 million were private school teachers. Due to teacher retirements, attrition, class size reductions, and increased student enrollments, it is estimated that the country will need over 2 million teachers in the next decade. Shortages are most pronounced among teachers certified to teach mathematics, the sciences, and special and bilingual education, especially in high-poverty communities.

The average salary for all public school teachers - nearly half of whom hold a Master's Degree - was about $37,000 in 1997-98, while the average salary for beginning teachers was about $25,000 (in 1995-96). Private school teachers have lower average salaries. Average salaries vary significantly from state to state and can range from 29% below the national average to 38% above.

Initial and continuing licensure requirements are different for each state. However, teachers generally must have at least a bachelor's degree, pass one or more exams, and complete coursework in special areas designated by the state. Some states provide for emergency or shortage-driven licensure to address serious teacher shortages.

Early Childhood Education - Early childhood education generally refers to the education of infants and children prior to beginning formal schooling in the first grade. Other terms that are commonly used in the United States for this education level include kindergarten, nursery school, and preschool. The age range thus covered is 3-6 years old. For many years the provision of preschool learning experiences was considered a voluntary activity; however, recent research has shown the strong connection between strong early childhood education and later success in school. As a result of this knowledge and increased parental demand, public school districts are now offering early childhood education services and states are beginning to require attendance in some form of preschool experience. Thirty-two states require public school districts to offer free kindergarten programs, either full- or half-day, while 13 require children to attend preschool programs.