.
We have questioned 38 alumni who stayed in the USA from 2003 to 2008. In spite of the fact that all of them come from different backgrounds and studied in different schools their points of view proved to be quite similar (nearly the same). Nearly all of them think that one of the biggest advantages of American schools is freedom to choose and ability to make your own schedule.
Another advantage which is mentioned practically by all the alumni is their sport system. Dmitry Dubovic, the alumnus of the year 2007-2008 from Rostov shared his opinion: "I would say that sports is a very important issue in American education and I believe we need to do the same thing here ". Every school has its own teams in different kinds of sports, modern gyms, weight rooms and of course football field. It is great when high school kids are so healthy and fit and determined, and sports also help develop team work which is very important in every area in life.
Another plus (And in this case the opinions of those who study or once studied in American schools and those who have never been there co-inside) is extracurricular activities. Sonia Lomp (2006-2007, Novosibirsk) says: "It is awesome that American schools have such subjects as choir, leadership, drama and stuff that help talented kids and also keep them busy with their hobbies ".
We have already mentioned that the respondents (participants of the survey) have a very vague idea of ​​maintaining discipline in American schools. As for alumni they find it strict enough, sometimes even too strict. There is no way you can skip your classes, or get in a fight at school, or even be late without being punished. Luba Romanova (2005-2006, Novgorod) complains about too much control, corridor passes, sending your grades to parents, calling home if you miss any class. Alina Berdiaeva (2007-2008, Omsk) recollects: "There is no such thing like "may I turn in this paper tomorrow instead of today". There is no tomorrow. There is discipline. That makes students respect the teachers. "At the same time Ksenia Lenshina (2006-2007, Samara) and other alumni find the school atmosphere more informal, it provides more confidence: the teacher will never yell your grade out, no matter if it is good or bad.
Among other good points are the teacher's possibilities to use modern technologies, sitting alone at the desk, having study halls to do your homework, an ability to work in groups.
As for such possibilities as the Internet at school or having access to all sources of information they are available to Russian students even in the most distant regions of the country.
As far as the disadvantages of American system of education are concerned nearly all the alumni we have questioned name a low level of knowledge schools give their student, especially in math. For example Evgenia Bogatova (2005-2006, Volgograd) was shocked when she saw juniors and seniors having troubles solving quadratic equations and identities.
Another minus is related more to the mentality or national set of mind rather than to the system of education. Many citizens of the USA admit that America is mostly concerned with America. Young people put it in a more rigorous way. Nastia Peshina (2004-2005, Ekaterinburg) says: "The bad part that Americans are crazy about the USA and pretty much don't know tons of stuff about the world. I would add Geography at least one required year. "She is echoed by Ekaterina Kononova (2007-2008, Saratov): "A very big part of Americans don't care about what goes around somewhere farther than their own American nose. So negative but it is true. I seriously like their motto: "There is the US, and there is the rest of the world ". You can see it pretty often in their foreign policy. But again it is a national part of their character. But the educational system could change it ... "
Among other disadvantages the alumni mention are low level of teaching foreign languages, 12 grades which some of them think to be too long. p> The point which is viewed by some alumni as a plus and by others as a minus is that in every class you meet new students. On the one hand it helps you to meet a lot of new people, but on the other hand it doesn't give you a chance to feel as part of the group as the result students meet each other at school every day, but sometimes they don't even know each other's name. "They don't become friends because every 45 minutes in school you are going to class with different people and there is nothing that can unite you all together. "
3 Conclusion
In conclusion we can say that the main goal of our research, to examine the system of secondary education from the inside and outside, seems to be achieved. We have made a brief outline of American school from the point of view of those who are within the system, the onlookers an...
