Western Education System

The education system in the United States was designed, in part, by the
education systems of Europe. When settlers moved to the United States and
began to build towns, they had to task of teaching their children how to
survive in this new land. Borrowing from traditional method of lectures,
apprenticeships, and religion, small schools were established. As these towns
grew, so did the schools.
By the time the United States declared its freedom; individual towns were
responsible for teaching their children. This has not changed much today.
Individual states still have control over the education that children receive.
Even though states have banded together to create a uniform curriculum, it
is still up to each state to be responsible for teaching the children.
Over the years, private schools have been established by religions and other
organizations who felt they could provide better for the children who attend
their churches or who wanted to use different methods of teaching. While this
is acceptable under the law, these schools must still provide a solid education
that children can use when they become adults.
Academic studies have been broken up into grade levels that children must
pass in order to continue their education. Most schools operate under this
structure:

•Pre-school
•Kindergarten
•Grade school
•Middle school
•High school
•College

Students who go to college can further their education by earning a master’s
or a doctoral degree. These degrees are given only after students have
demonstrated the ability to complete complex papers and assignments.
This structure has not changed much over the years.