A nation’s purpose in educating its children is to prepare them to become productive members of society. Each country in the world has developed a system of education based on its needs, economic resources, and traditions. One would think that industrial societies such as the United States and the countries of Europe would similar systems for educating the children. However, a comparison of school system in Europe and the Unites States reveals several similarities but a great number of differences.
The educational systems of Europe and the United States are similar in number of ways. To begin with, elementary school classes look the same everywhere: There are about twenty-two pupils per class, and the classes are coeducational. In addition, the subjects taught at the elementary level are basically the same everywhere: reading and writing, mathematics, introductions to the sciences, music, sport, and art. Also, there is one teacher for all subject for each grade, and the majority of elementary school teachers are women. The only major difference in the elementary school, but most Americans do not.
Second, European and American students spend approximately the same number of years in school. Both of the United States and most European countries require children to attend school for at least nine or ten years. Germany and Belgium have the highest requirement: twelve years of education. Also, children in most countries start compulsory schooling at a similar age, usually age six, and they may leave school at similar age, usually age sixteen.
Despite these similarities, the educational systems differ greatly in several areas. Some countries require a half-day of school, whereas other require a full day. For example, the number of hours per day and days per year that children must attend school varies widely. The number of hours of students must spend per day in high school ranges from a low of five in Belgium to a high of eight in parts of Hungary and Turkey. In addition, the number of days per year that students must be in school differs. That is a difference of more than two months.
Another major difference is in the types of school available. In the countries of Northern Europe, there is no division between elementary and secondary; school just lows from the first day of first grade until the end of compulsory schooling at age sixteen. In Germany, pupils must make this decision as early as age ten. In the United States, in contrast, they never have to make it. However, in the United States, school is divided into nine years of elementary and four years of secondary education. Anyone in the United State who graduates from high school has the opportunity to go on to a college or university. Furthermore, some countries require students to make a choice between academic preparatory and vocational training schools.
In addition to the differences in academic and vocational schools, there are also difference in private schools. In France, Spain, Belgium, and Austria, most private schools are religious, but in most other countries, they are not. Also, in most of Europe, the government pays part of the cost of private schools: 70 percent in Hungary, 80 percent in Denmark and Austria, and 85 percent in Norway. In contrast, parents must pay the full cost in Britain, Greece, Turkey, and the United States if they want their children to attend a private school.
A final major difference between Europe and the United States is the number of students who go on to higher education. In the United States, over 50 percent of high school graduates enter a college or university. The European average is about 30 to 40 percent. In contrast, fewer than 15 percent of British students do so.
It is clear that the experience of schoolchildren varies from country to country. No one can say if one system is better than another system, for each one fits own needs, economics, and traditions the best. Even though the United State and the countries of European seem very similar in many ways, their educational systems are actually quite different.
