There are three main systems in Britain: the Comprehensive system, the selective and the private system. The Comprehensive system was introduced in Britain in 1960s. More than 90% of children who go to state schools, go to schools of comprehensive system. Children go to a primary school at the age of 5. Then they go to the upper school - usually called comprehensive - at the age of 11. Alternatively they may go to the middle school for 3 or 4 years before going to the upper school. The selective system, which still exists in some areas of Britain, is old. It was introduced in 1944. Children are selected according to their abilities. In Britain children then take an examination called 11-plus and who are successful go to the grammar school and those who fail enter the secondary modern school. And the last subsystem that is developed in Great Britain is the private education. In Britain about 7% of children go to private schools. There are three levels of private education: primary schools - age from 4 to 8, preparatory school - age from 8 to 13. At the age of 13 children take an examination. If they are successful they go on to public schools where they usually remain until the age of 18. Almost all students in Britain take examinations. The public examinations taken by British schoolchildren are called GCSEs (The General Certificate of Secondary Education). Pupils usually take their GCSEs at the age of 16. Pupils who have passed their GCSEs may remain at school for another two years and take their advanced level exams. It's interesting to note that any student who wants to go to the university needs to pass two or three "A" level exams.
EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
Most schools in the United States start at the kindergarten level. In addition to bilingual and bicultural programs many schools have special programs for those with learning and reading difficulties. The education system of the USA has always stressed the importance of "character" or "social skills" through extracurricular activities, including organized sports. There is usually a very broad range of such activities available. They not only give pupils a chance to be together outside normal classes, but they also help to develop a feeling of "school spirit". It is the one of the most striking difference of the American education system. Students at an early age have to choose subjects to study.
EDUCATION IN CANADA
The school system of Canada is very much like the one in the USA, but there are certain differences. Education in Canada is general and compulsory for children from 6 to 16 years old, and in some provinces to 14. It is within the competence of the local authorities, and therefore it may differ from province to province. For example, Newfoundland has an 11-grade system. Some other provinces have 12-grade systems, and Ontario has even a 13-grade system. Grades 16 are usually elementary schools, and grades 712 are secondary schools. In some provinces there is a kindergarten year before the first grade. Elementary education is general and basic, but in the junior high school years the students can select some courses themselves. Most secondary schools provide programs for all types of students. Some of them prepare students for continuing their studies at the university. Vocational schools are separate institutions for those who will not continue their education after secondary schools. There also exist some commercial high schools. Some provinces have private kindergartens and nursery schools for children of pre-elementary age. There also exist Roman Catholic schools and private schools in some provinces. In most provinces private schools receive some form of public support. Admission to the university in Canada is after high school with specific courses. Getting a degree in law, medicine, dentistry or engineering usually takes 34 years of studying. University tuition fees vary among different provinces. All provinces also have public non-university institutions. They are regional colleges, institutes of technology, institutes of applied arts, colleges of agricultural technology and others. Criteria for admission to these institutions are less strict.
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BRITISH PRIVATE EDUCATION
Seven per cent of British schoolchildren go to private schools called independent schools. There are 2,400 independent schools and they have been growing in number and popularity since the mid 1980's.
Parents pay for these schools, and fees vary from about 250 pounds a term for a private nursery to 3,000 pounds a term or more for a secondary boarding school. Most independent schools are called prep (preparatory) schools because they prepare the children for the Common Entrance Exam which they take at the age of 11. This exam is for entry into the best schools.
The most famous schools are called "public schools" and they have a long history and traditions. It is often necessary to put your child's name on a waiting list at birth to be sure he or she gets a place. Children of wealthy or aristocratic families often go to the same public school as their parents and their grandparents. Eton is the best known of these schools.
The majority of independent secondary schools, including public schools, are single-sex, although in recent years girls have been allowed to join the sixth forms of boys' schools. Independent schools also include religious schools (Jewish, Catholic, Muslim etc.) and schools for ethnic minorities.
