The US has achieved excellence in many disciplines mainly due to the attitude, values and roles taught in educational institutions. Education in America thrives with the support of public sector that in turn enjoys funding from local, state and federal levels. In USA, public education is commonly available. Child education is compulsory here but the ages for education vary across the states. Children are required to start their studies between the ages of five to eight. Education has now been made compulsory until the age of 18 by a growing number of states.
Basic Schooling in America:
Children in the US can be educated in state-certified private schools, public schools or an approved home school program to fulfill the compulsory education requirements. Education could be categorized into three levels for most public and private schools: elementary schools, middle school and high school. Children are divided into grades by age groups for all of these schools, with the youngest children in elementary school being admitted in kindergarten followed by first grade. The twelfth grade is the final year of high school. Students are enrolled in these grade levels as per the age range which varies slightly from area to area. 76.6 million students got admission from kindergarten in schools in the year 2000 and private school enrollment was 5.2 million. 85 percent people passed out from high school among the country's adult population while 27 percent were able to achieve a bachelor's degree or higher.
Employment Rates With & Without Education:
In the US, the college or university graduates are able to earn an average salary of more than $51,000. According to a 2005 study by the U.S. Census Bureau, this figure exceeds the national average earnings of Americans without a high school diploma. High school education increases chances of employment with the concerned unemployment rate being 10.8% as per a 2010 study. College graduation has shown the unemployment rate as 4.9%. American citizens over 15 years of age have yielded a reading literacy rate of 98%. Compared to other developed nations however, the people rank below average in their understanding of mathematics and science. In 2008, 77% of the students graduated from high school in the US which ranks below compared to most developed countries.
Higher Education Trends:
After completing high school, most students who would like to attend college or university enroll in an undergraduate school. This may be liberal arts college, a community college or part of a larger research university. The course of study is comprised of special or main subjects and is called the "major". A major is usually offered in the second year of college. A BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BS (Bachelor of Science) degree is awarded at the end. Universities are either private or public (state-sponsored). Many students opt for a Master's or Ph.D. program after graduation. Some take up a first professional degree program. A Master's degree program involves two years of extensive study while a Ph.D. course generally takes some years. A first professional degree requires three or four years. Degree courses in medical, veterinary and dental education are completed in four years while law studies take up three years.