21st Century Education Part II

Continued from Part I.

Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you gain at one end you lose at the other. It’s like feeding a dog on his own tail. It won’t fatten the dog. “”?Samuel Clemens, 1900

Regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of current primary and higher education, drastic changes need to be made. Bill Gates said that “America’s high schools are obsolete” and that they are not preparing our students for higher education nor the work force.

“Today, most jobs that allow you to support a family require some postsecondary education. This could mean a four-year college, a community college, or technical school. Unfortunately, only half of all students who enter high school ever enroll in a postsecondary institution. That means that half of all students starting high school today are unlikely to get a job that allows them to support a family.

Here is a short overview, first of the German education system and then of the American one.

The German education system.

The German education system is vastly different from that of America and also of other European countries. First of all, there are very few private schools and extremely few Germans attend them. Hence, there will be no further discussion of them as they are so few as to be of little importance. Lower and higher education is Germany is all funded by the state and tuition for the moment is free (not much longer). This universal education has been in place since the 18th century when started by Prussia.

There are various primary schools to choose from though most people attend the regular public ones. However, at the age of 10, Germans are divided based on ability and go down one of three tracks:

1) Hauptschule – The least academic of the three, attended until 9th grade plus three years Berufsschule (vocational school). The Berufsschule is normally twice a week during a two or three year apprenticeship; the other days are spent working at some company.
2) Realschule – through 10th grade plus after Berufsschule or technical school (more vocationally-oriented)
3) Gymnasium – through 12th or 13th grade, the most academic and students take a test (Abitur) which qualifies them for University.

Students who attend Gymnasium go directly to University while students of the other two schools go from there into the work force. However, though blue collar jobs tend to have a stigma attached to them in the United States, German workers, with their array of professional skills learned in the Hauptschule or Realschule still make very decent wages. In terms of skilled craftsmen, Germany is unbeatable. Watch a bricklayer or painter in Germany and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how professional they are.

Additionally, students who attend Realschule also have the possibility to switch into Gymnasium if they find themselves underchallenged. Gymnasium is also considerably harder than American high school. It is 5 years, requires you to write a well researched thesis and to pass a final exam called the Abitur in order to graduate, by no means a walk in the park. A German’s last two years of Gymnasium is roughly the same as an American’s first two years of University.

Above all though, one should remember that though this multi-track system sounds like something out of 1984 to most Americans, it’s actually far from it. No one, I repeat, no one is forced into a school. Teacher recommendations, the students grades and performance and the parents wishes all play a role. The state does not force students into one school.

Outside of organizational differences, the German system also does not put as much emphasis on content, but instead critical thinking skills. Since German schools are more oritented towards preparation for the work force, research, analysis and critical thinking are all stressed while memorization, dates, busy work and so forth are all unimportant.

The American Education System

While America is home to 51 of the world’s top 100 universities, our primary education is in shambles. The American public school system, if it can be called that, is grossly inadequate and does little to prepare students for entry into a higher education institution.

Education in the US is decentralized with funding and curriculum decisions made mostly at the local level through school boards. Standards are generally set by state agencies while the federal government is involved with funding of some programs and exerts some influence through its ability to control funding. Accreditation of schools is accomplished by voluntary regional associations of educational institutions. Here is a breakdown of the overal structure of American education:

Elementary School – through 5th/6th grade.
Middle School – Through 8th grade.
High School – 9th through 12th

College/University – 2 years for an Associates Degree, 4 years for a Bachelors.
Masters Degree – Another 1 to 4 years.
Ph.d .- Usually 3 or more years.

And of course, for each level one has the choice between public and private schools, though realistically, those who plan to have a reasonably bright future ahead of them choose private schools for their entire education where the quality of teachers is higher, classes are smaller, facilities are much better and discipline is better (i.e. it’s safer).

American education tends to emphasize content more than critical thinking and is renown world wide for the “multiple choice test” which seems to exist nowhere else. Another difference tends to be that a Bachelors Degree in America is pursued merely for the sake of having one. Whether you studied English, History or Math, it won’t make as big of a difference when looking for employment as it would in other countries. Outside of subjects like law and medicine, a degree is important because it shows one has a general knowledge about the world and was responsible enough to be able to finish the degree. It does not actually prepare you for a career. Such skills are often learned on the job or during continued higher education. This is a major deviation from other systems.

As this has become rather lengthy already, I’m splitting it. Look for Part III later today or tomorrow. I also invite Americans to correct or add to my description. Given the decentralized nature of our education, I look forward to comments and additions as my personal experience combined with research is still not representative of the entire country.