I completed a PGCE last year and have taught in a couple of different settings, so I ended up researching exactly how the American education system works and how it differs to that of the UK. Statistically, America doesn’t do too well on international education leader boards, but I put that down to the content that is taught and the lack of access to higher education that many Americans face, as well as socio-economic factors that many states don’t tackle effectively.. However, there are three things they are doing right.
1. Middle Schools and High Schools
In the UK, we have secondary schools that are generally 11-16 (with the exception of a handful of middle schools that exist, and schools with sixth forms attached - they’re 11-18), then Sixth Form and FE colleges that are generally 16-19, with most completing their studies in the academic year they turn 18.
In the US, middle schools exist that are for 11-14-year-olds (so our year 7 to year 9), although in school districts, there are junior high schools. After Middle School they go to High Schools that are for 14-18-year-olds so our (Year 11 to Year 13/second year college). If we had this system, younger pupils who are not studying for any qualification or exams would not be in the same school as those who are GCSE and A Level students. That would make far more sense, but as is the case now, if a 16-year-old doesn’t want to study academic subjects that sixth forms offer, they can still go study at FE colleges instead - that option would still remain. Anyone who thinks back to starting their new secondary school as a terrified 11-year-old in Year 7 and remembering how big the scary Year 11s were, will hopefully see a system like this make more sense, even more sense for those who went to a secondary school with a Sixth Form attached where the oldest pupils were 18 and 19-year-old adults.
2. GPAs
GPAs, or Grade Point Averages are a way of assessing how American school pupils are doing. It’s assessed by in-class tests by a teacher and on class work. Obviously there may be an issue in that this work is assessed by the class teacher themselves who may have a bias towards and against particular pupils, but this bias could be eliminated by teachers marking each other’s class’ work without names. This would be a system I would use until the age of 16. So no GCSEs and dozens of exams, no aim to get good grades in at least 5 subjects or your life is over, no teaching to an exam board’s spec. When they go on to further education at 16, the teacher would write a report for each pupil stating their GPA and progress in that subject in order to establish whether their choice for future education is a good fit for them.
3. SATs
American school pupils typically sit standardised tests (SATs) when they are 17 or 18 in order to apply for university. There is one SAT exam that is three hours long and includes maths, writing and critical reading - a bit like a higher level of Year 6 SATs, but all in one exam. I wouldn’t impose it quite like the Americans do. Instead of it being done at 17 or 18, I would have Year 11s sit it, so wherever they go next and whatever they study, they have a basic qualification in English and Maths. Instead of one three hour exam that assesses English and maths, I would have two shorter exams, one for English, one for maths. However, there would be an option of a more numeracy-based maths exam for those not going onto study maths-based subjects where good numeracy skills will suffice .
Essentially, instead of sitting dozens of exams in upwards of ten subjects, Year 11s would sit just two a maths/numeracy exam and an English exam to give them those two qualifications.
However, post-16, I would keep the same system, 16-year-olds could choose to study more academic A Levels, go on to do apprenticeships or study vocational subjects at an FE college. Although when it comes to A Levels, I would return to modular exams and more coursework.
