How Do You Understand School Models In Use In American Public Education?
• Know that public school in the USA typically spans 12 years, not including Kindergarten, and that each year of school is referred to as a grade. Children tend to begin in kindergarten and end school after the twelfth grade. • Be aware that public school preschool programs are becoming more and more common, such that some children will enter school at the age of three or four for preschool. Otherwise, the age to begin is set at five, although each state will have its own rules about when during the school year that fifth birthday must occur if the child is to be accepted for entrance to kindergarten. • Know that school attendance is compulsory only through the age of sixteen (in most states). No matter what grade a child has attained at this age, the child may leave school if so desired. • Understand that most school systems follow this pattern: • Elementary school • Kindergarten • FirstGrade • Second Grade • Third Grade • Fourth Grade • Fifth Grade • Middle school • Sixth Grade • Sev
