Americans view their public school system as an educational ladder, rising from elementary school to high school and finally college undergraduate and graduate programmes.
Schools in the USA can be divided into state, or public schools, and private schools. State schools are free, and private schools are fee-paying.
Elementary education begins at the age of 6 with the first grade and continues through to the eighth grade. The programme of studies in the elementary school is different in different schools. It includes English, arithmetic, geography, history of the USA and elementary natural science. The elementary school is followed by high school as it is called. It consists of 2 parts: Junior high is for the children aged 12 until they are 15 and Senior high school is attended by students until they are 18.
During the school year the students study 4 or 5 subjects. They must complete a certain number of courses to receive a diploma or certificate of graduation.
After graduating the most of Americans go on to higher education.
The most common types of higher education are the colleges and universities. During the first two years the students follow a basic program. It means that every student must select at least one course from each of the basic fields of study: English, Natural sciences, Modern languages, History or Physical education. After the first two years every student can select subjects according to his professional interest.
The 4-year undergraduate studies lead to a bachelor’s degree or “college diploma”. The bachelor’s degree can be followed by professional studies. 2-year graduate studies lead to a master’s degree.
Environment
Our planet Earth is only a tiny part of the universe, but nowadays it’s the only place where we can live.
People always polluted their surroundings. But until now pollution was not such a serious problem. Men have polluted the air, water and land; used most of the Earth’s oil, gas and coal; completely killed more than 500 kinds of animals, birds and plants; made and used atomic bombs. It’s a disaster and it’s still happening.
Many animals and birds are disappearing nowadays. This is because man hunts them, destroys and pollutes their habitat. There is only one way to save wild animals and wild habitats – conservation. That means protecting animals in danger by low, opening more national parks, building fewer new roads, planting more new forests, cutting pollution.
Water pollution. Most big cities pour their waste into seas and rivers. They are filled with poison: industrial and nuclear wastes, pesticides. Polluted water kills fish and other marine life.
Air pollution. Fume from the chimneys of factories, gases which are in refrigerators and sprays pollute the air. They damage the ozone layer that covers the earth; also they are the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rains. It can cause illness, and even death. The rainwater mixes with the gases in the air, and then the air pollution also becomes land and water pollution.
Land pollution. The main problem is making large piles of trash. Trash is made of boxes, bags, paper, plastics, bottles and others.
Today, many scientists and world leaders realize that the Earth is in danger. It’s really very simple. We have the time, the money and even the technology to make our planet a better, cleaner and safer place.
The following radical measures must be taken:
1. The replanting of trees that have been cut down;
2. Nuclear tests should be stopped;
3. Purification systems must be installed at plants and factories;
4. Natural resources should be used more rationally;
5.Rare and dying out birds, animals and plant's should be protected;
6.Precaution measures should be taken against the destruction of the ozone layer.