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Understanding the American Education System

Around age six, U.S. children begin primary school, which is most commonly called
“elementary school.” They attend five or six years and then go onto secondary school. Secondary
school consists of two programs: the first is “middle school” or “junior high school” and the second
program is “high school.” A diploma or certificate is awarded upon graduation from high school.
After graduating high school (12th grade), U.S. students may go on to college or university.
College or university study is known as “higher education.”
A student who is attending a college or university and has not earned a bachelor’s degree,
is studying at the undergraduate level. It typically takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s
degree. You can either begin your studies in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree at a community college
or a four-year university or college.
In the first two years of study you will generally be required to take a wide variety of classes
in different subjects, commonly known as prerequisite courses: literature, science, the social
sciences, the arts, history, and so forth. This is so you achieve a general knowledge, a foundation,
of a variety of subjects prior to focusing on a specific field of study.
Many students choose to study at a community college in order to complete the first two
years of prerequisite courses. They will earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree and then
transfer to a four-year university or college.
A “major” is the specific field of study in which your degree is focused. For example, if
someone’s major is journalism, they will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. You will be required
to take a certain number of courses in this field in order to meet the degree requirements of your
major. You must choose your major at the beginning of your third year of school.
A very unique characteristic of the American higher education system is that you can
change your major multiple times if you choose. It is extremely common for American students to
switch majors at some point in their undergraduate studies. Often, students discover a different
field that they excel in or enjoy. The American education system is very flexible. Keep in mind
though that switching majors may result in more courses, which means more time and money.
Article Soure: https://www.studyusa.com/en/a/58/understanding-the-american-education-system
READING QUESTIONS

I. Circle the correct meaning for each of the following words in the passage

1. Degree
a. A legal grade of crime or offense, especially a murder.
b. A unit in any various scales of temperature, intensity, or hardness.
c. A qualification given to a student after she/he has completed her/his studies in higher
education.
2. Course
a. The route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road or river.
b. A series of lectures or lessons in a particular subject, typically leading to a qualification.
c. A dish, or a set of dishes served together, forming one of the successive parts of a
meal
3. Switch
a. Change
b. Control
c. Create
4. Excel
a. To show superiority
b. To show inferiority
c. To show mediocrity

II. Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false one.
1. In the United States, children began their primary school at the T F
age of seven.
2. Another name for middle school is junior high school. T F
3. Students who finish grade 12 will receive a diploma. T F
4. A community college is a four-year college. T F
5. A student usually decides on his/her major as soon as he/she graduates T F
from high school.
6. Many students choose to take their prerequisite courses at a four-year T F
college.
7. A major is an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student T F
formally commits.
8. The American education system is a very rigid system. T F

III. Provide brief answers to the following questions.

1. What is an Associate of Arts (AA)?
2. Name five common prerequisite courses!
3. Provide an example of a major!
4. What is the name of the degree awarded to students who pass their four-year college
education?
5. What is college or university study known as?
IV. Reading discussion (Group work)
1. How is the college/university system in the U.S different from the college/university
system in Indonesia?
2. Which one do you prefer: to decide on your major early in your college year or later?
3. What major will you choose for college and why?
4. What do you think can be improved from the college/university system in Indonesia?