US Education System & AccreditingWhat's Here? What is US School Accreditation?； K-12 System； Boarding High Schools； Community Colleges； Universities； Graduate Schools and Programs； Language Schools Introduction to the US Education System While there are differences between the US and Taiwanese education systems, there are some similarities that, when explained, can help Taiwanese thinking about studying in the US better understand the US education system. In Taiwan, it is compulsory to stay in school from years 1 to 9, with grades 10 11 and 12 being elective.However, the vast majority of Taiwanese students will complete years 10 through 12.In the United States, compulsory education consists of kindergarten, elementary school years 1 through 6, junior high school years 7 and 8, and high school years 9 to 12.Post secondary education, like in Taiwan, is entirely elective and is based on a rigorous application and admissions process. One key aspect of the American education system is that most American K-12 schools are controlled by local school districts, which are governed by school boards. A school board is a small committee of people who are elected by the community. They set general policies for the school district.In this sense, much of the power to direct education policy is devolved to the states and counties within states, rather than to the federal government.The differences between state education systems become evident when looking at the chart below, where the division of the K-12 system exhibits several varieties.However, the federal government does enact and monitor quality control programs to ensure that school districts throughout the USA maintain minimum acceptable levels of instructional quality.State funding based on quality measures also helps to motivates schools and school districts maintain and improve instruction. The teaching methodologies employed in the USA and Taiwan differ markedly.While the Taiwanese system focuses more on memorization of data and information, recital, math and science skills and memory development, the US system focuses more on creative thinking, oral presentation and teamwork.While Taiwanese students, and indeed many other Asian students, have advantages over American students insofar as basic knowledge is concerned, the Taiwan government has tried to adopt certain “American” instructional methods to introduce more creative thinking and teamwork-developing programs into the domestic curriculum. Map of the U.S. Education System
The map above is from the US Department of Education website. Concerning higher education, the US community college system is somewhat different than the system found in Taiwan.The US community college system is designed for two types of students: those wanting to learn a specific vocational or academic skill and then enter the workforce, or those wanting to earn a general college education and then go on to 2 years of university to earn a 4-year degree (commonly referred to as the “2+2 system”).In Taiwan, the community college-function is served by three types of institutions: the 2-year junior college, the community university and the vocational training center. University planning in Taiwan and the USA differ significantly.In Taiwan, it's normal for students to finish their entire education prior to moving on to the workforce.Students will commonly attend college, university, and then graduate school (if they feel the need to do so) before going to work.In the USA, the system is somewhat more fluid.While some will continue to the end of their planned education prior to going to work, many will take breaks to work or travel between education levels.For example, it's very common for US university graduates to work full-time from 1 to 5 or more years before attending graduate school to earn a master's degree. As far as degree types are concerned, the US system is somewhat more flexible than the Taiwanese system.In the US, undergraduate and master's degrees are not designed to fit into a government-mandated norm.While some US graduate degrees require up to 3 years to finish, many others can be completed in one year or less.The length of the degree program often depends on the purpose of the degree, what kinds of students study for the degree, an what the university decides is appropriate.Additionally, while a thesis is absolutely necessary to earn a master's degree in Taiwan, it's not necessarily required by US universities.Whether it is or not depends on the university administering the degree program. What's Here? What is US School Accreditation?； K-12 System； Boarding High Schools； Community Colleges； Universities； Graduate Schools and Programs； Language Schools |
