A German Perspective on American Education
by Max Schwing
A friend of mine returned some days ago from her au pair exchange with a family living in New York state. This might be a limited perspective on education in the U.S., because it might be that some of your schools are better than others (just like in Germany), but it at least gave me an impression of the quality of American education.
My friend has been behind the big blue for one year, living with a family with two children. She had to take care of the young ones on a half-time basis, so she could attend her final year of high school and make the graduation tests.
In Germany, my friend was only an average pupil in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, but excelled in German, English and other social classes. At first, she was reluctant to take those natural science classes in the U.S., because she wasn't that skilled in the subjects, subjects that would also be taught in a foreign language.
When she had visited mathematics classes for two days, she enjoyed them and even took advanced courses. Obviously, they weren't that difficult and in the end, she completed her graduation with A's in all the science classes.
I was rather impressed given that she had earned only C's in Germany. So, I asked her to show me some of her work and tests she had taken. They were embarrassing to say the least. I could have completed the tests with one eye closed.
Perhaps, I am already influenced by university education, but when I remember the questions and assignments we faced in our German graduation exams, known as the Gymnasium, I am still shocked.
It is no wonder that many complain about the state of your schools. The case might be different when it comes to private schools or home-schoolers, but in general, your science classes do not seem to be in the best shape. The equipment is good and even better than in Germany, but the level of knowledge and the scholarly requirements are too low.
My friend also indicated that extra-curricular activity was more important, because the exams were so easy that too many students graduated with good grades.
I still don't know how your school system could reach such a sorry state on some subjects, when the U.S. proclaims that it is the champion of competition and capitalism.
This is especially worrisome, because the Republicans (those who stood for competition) were in control for a long time. The German equivalent of the Republicans, the CDU, did break the vicious circle of dumbed down tests by ending the socialist hype of "soft education" and brought back an educational system where achievements count again. So, my conclusion is that the U.S. education system lacks two significant components: competition and challenge.
This might not be news to you, but I think it is especially interesting to see a comparison with students from other Western countries, and provides some insight into the divide between German and U.S. high school education.
Discuss this Article (18 messages)
|
