- Surveys & Programs
- Data & Tools
- Fast Facts
- News & Events
- Publications & Products
- About Us
EDUCATION INDICATOR: An International Perspective
Curriculum Standards
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Country Highest level at which Nature of standards Subjects covered by Control over standards are set curriculum standards Grade levels affected textbooks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ United State Standards vary across states Language arts, mathematics, In the 41 states that have Some states have States and localities and may include science, and social studies in standards, standards cover textbook review content, student performance the 41 states that have each grade level (this varies committees, although (minimum competencies), or standards. depending on the type of they are not school delivery standards. standard). necessarily tied to ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- standards. Canada Province Specificity varies across In general, more clearly All grade levels. All provinces review provinces. defined curriculum and approve requirements are set in textbooks in light of Provinces have curriculum mathematics, science, social compatibility with statements and guidelines of studies, English and French official curriculum varying detail. Language Arts, and English and publish a list of and French as Second approved textbooks. Primary education: Grouped Languages. Quebec has by level and then by grade specific curriculum objectives within the level. for all subjects. Secondary: Level- and course- specific. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- France National Specifies aims and content of All subject areas. All grade levels. N/A' subjects taught. Germany Land (state) Specifies alms, content, Core subjects (German, one All grade levels. N/A' instruction and assessment foreign language, math, methods of subjects taught. physics/chemistry, biology, geography, history, world of work and social studies, religious instruction, music, art, politics, physical education, and local studies). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italy National Education objectives and All subject areas. Broad levels of education Textbooks are chosen content for each subject area. (e.g., 'primary, junior high by teachers' school). committees based on a set of national -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- criteria. Japan National Broad guidelines For the All subject areas. All levels or' education Ministry approves objectives and content of each (kindergarten, primary, textbooks for use in subject area. lower secondary, upper schools. secondary, special education). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United National National curriculum Specifies core (mathematics English, Ten levels of attainment Schools are Kingdom targets for learning and the science) and foundation targets for each foundation responsible for (England measurement of progress, (technology, history, subject, none of which are selecting appropriate and Wales) delineates what should be geography, foreign language, intended to be correlated text books. taught in order to meet the music, art, physical education, with student age or school targets, and assessment Welsh) subjects. year. arrangements. *Not available.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Country Existence of Name and type of examination Level responsible Who takes examination Consequences of assessment entrance or and when? exit exams (Y/N) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United States Yes SAT - University entrance examination. Non-governmental. College-bound students Varies by college or ACT. National assessment in last 2 years of high university. Most 4 year Minimum competence tests in some systems; administrated school. colleges require exam, most states. locally. 2 year colleges do not. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canada Yes Exit exams from secondary school in Province Secondary school Varies by province. some provinces. students at end of secondary school ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- secondary school. France Yes a) Baccalaureat - Exit examination from National a) All lycce students. a) Passing baccalaureat lycee (academic high schools) and determines university university entrance examination. placement. b) Brevet des college: non-compulsory b) Nearly all "col1ege" b) Passage may give access examination at the end of lower students (junior high to lycee, but is not required. secondary. school). Designed to gauge standard of education offered during ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- lower secondary education. Germany Yes Abitur - Exit examination from State All Gymnasium Passage provides access to Gymnasium (academic high schools). students. university-level education; allows students to continue studies at university-level institutions or polytechnic ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- colleges. Italy Yes a) Esame di licenza - Exit examination National a) All lower secondary a) Successful students may from lower secondary school and school students. enroll in any secondary entrance examination to upper school. secondary school. b) Upper secondary b) May have some bearing b) Esami di maturita - High school school students after on employment and graduation examination. the end of their course university placement. of study (usually 4 or 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ years in duration). Japan Yes a) Entrance examination for upper a) Prefecture a) All students seeking a) Determines placement in secondary school; (regional/district level) admission to high high school. school. b) Test of the National Center for b) National b) All students seeking b) and c) Determine University Entrance Examination university admission. placement in university (TNCUEE); and system. c) Entrance exams for individual c) Administered by c) Students seeking universities. individual universities admission to specific universities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United Kingdom Yes a) General Certificate of Secondary a) and b) National a) All upper secondary a) No standard policy (England and Education (GCSE). school students at age regarding consequences. Wales) 16. b) General Certificate of Education b) All students seeking b) Major factor in higher Advanced Level (A level) and Advanced university admission, as education placement. Supplementary (AS level) - for entrance well as some others. to postsecondary institutions. Most students take examinations in 2-3 subjects. Typically taken at age 18.
Entrance and Exit Examinations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Duration of Renewal and Country academic and in- Academic program In-school training Certification upgrading school training examination requirements (years) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United States 4 Particular emphases are shaped by state government Generally included Individual states set State policies vary regulations, but usually include general study with a in postsecondary minimum qualifying regarding upgrading concentration in the academic subject that potential study. scores on the National requirements. teachers plan to teach (if they are preparing for Teacher's Exam or state Approximately 45% of secondary instruction) and in pedagogical studies. certification tests. primary teachers, 55% of lower secondary teachers, and 65% of upper secondary teachers earn a Master's degree by --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mid-career. Canada 4 General education at the university in arts or sciences, Generally included None. Provincial policies vary (A gradual move and 1-year of professional training, which includes in postsecondary regarding is being made instruction in curriculum and teaching methods, study. upgrading/renewal towards 5 years of classes in contextual dimensions, and student requirements. teacher teaching. The 1-year professional training can be done preparation) concurrently with degree work or after a degree has been earned. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- France Primary: 4 Primary: First three years spent at university in Included in the The examination None. Secondary: 5 or license program in any subject. Future teachers then IUFM. Future includes sections on more take a year-long professional course in an Institute secondary teachers academic subjects and Universitaire de Formation des Maitres (I.U.F.M). teach a class for 4-6 pedagogy. At the end Secondary: For professors, certifies, first 3 years hours a week for of the IUFM year, the spent at university in license program in subject of the whole year. certification process specialization. Future teachers then take a 1-year Future primary takes into account teacher training course in an IUFM. 'For Professeurs teachers do it for 8 coursework and agreges first four years spent obtaining a university weeks during the practical application. degree in the subject to be taught. Future teacher final semester of then takes a 1-year teacher training course in an the year. IUFM. Both primary and secondary future teachers must pass a competitive examination, which they can do before, after, or during the IUFM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germany1 Primary: 4.5 to 5 Primary, Hauptschule, and Realschule teachers spend After university Must pass first and Upon passing second Lower secondary: at least 6 to 8 semesters studying pedagogy and at phase, 18 to 24 second state state examinations, 4.5 to 6 least 2 academic subjects. Prospective Gymnasium months of school- examinations, consisting teachers gain lifetime Upper secondary: teachers spend 8 to 10 semesters studying pedagogy based training, in of a thesis, two tenure. 5 to 6 and at least 2 academic subjects. This phase ends addition to various demonstration lessons, with the first state examination. lectures and the and an oral and written study of pedagogy. section. Phase ends with the second state examination. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Italy Primary: 3 to 4 Primary: Primary school teachers receive general Primary and Job placement Regular in-service Secondary: 4 to 5 academic and pedagogical training in 4-year upper Secondary: One determined by training and secondary teacher preparatory programs (Institution year of in-school competitive national development courses magistrali). training after examination, consisting focusing on content qualifying by of a written and methodology Secondary: Formal education/training spent earning competitive examination on subject- required by law and regular 4-year university degree with little, if any, examination. related topics, and an organized by regional focus on pedagogy. Training is followed by open interview. institutes for research competition for teaching staff and a 1-year in-school and in-service training training program for competition winners. in education (IRRSAE) and by schools. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Japan First class First class elementary and lower secondary: Four Upper secondary: 2 Must pass prefectural First-year teachers are elementary and years of postsecondary study (Bachelor's degree), weeks. appointment required to receive at lower secondary focusing on general subjects, subject of specialization, Elementary and examinations, consisting least 20 days of in- certificate2:4 and pedagogy. lower secondary: 4 of written tests in service training during First class upper weeks. general education and that year. secondary: 6 First class upper secondary: Bachelor's and Master's fields; skill tests in degree, with less focus on pedagogy than elementary physical education, Second class and lower secondary teacher candidates. music, and art; and elementary and interviews. lower secondary Second class elementary and lower secondary: Two certificate2:2 years of postsecondary study. Second class Second class upper secondary: Four years of upper secondary: postsecondary study. (Bachelor's degree). 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United Primary: 3 to 4 Standard Initial Teacher Training (ITT) program a) For Certification is granted None required by Kingdom Lower-secondary: consists of either: undergraduate after an initial year of national policy, but 3-4 a) a 3- or 4-year undergraduate program leading to a route, 32 weeks of teaching to degree strong expectations at Upper-secondary: Bachelor's; or practical training holders. There is no school level that 4-5 b) a 1-year postgraduate course in teaching and and school written test, but the progressive/ambitious educational methods and assessment for those who experience. process is very teachers will engage in have already gained a first degree. b) For postgraduate structured. appropriate in-service route, 24 weeks of provided by local practical training authorities, and school universities, and experience. others.
1/ Vocational and technical school teachers: The more academically oriented must complete 4 years of university study and 1 year of specialized training and teacher training. Practice-oriented teachers are qualified practitioners who have also had further training at a technical school as well as teacher training. Teachers at senior technical schools must have the same qualifications as gymnasium teachers, and must also have several years of actual professional experience.
2/ The first class certificate is the preferred credential at all levels. Some teachers earn a second-class certificate in secondary subjects.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ages for Structure Differentiation of schools (age at which Degree of administrative and Country compulsory of differentiation occurs and type of Postsecondary education supervisory centralization schooling system differentiation, through upper secondary) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ United 6-16 6-2-4; None2 2-year community and junior Highly decentralized - States 6-3-3; colleges; Federal government does not have the 8-4; 6-6; 4-year undergraduate colleges; power to control schools directly. or 5-3-4 Universities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Canada 6-16 6-3-3; None2 1-2 year non-degree-granting- Highly decentralized - No national 8-4; also community colleges. educational administrative body. 7-5, 6-5, 3-4 year degree-granting and non- 5-3-4, degree-granting community colleges and 7-3-2 and universities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ France 6-16 5-4-3 Age 153 Polytechnic colleges; Highly centralized - The national General and technological high schools - Engineering and business schools; Ministry of Education controls formal leading to baccalaureat and higher Universities education at all levels. Recently, more education independence has been given to local Vocational schools - leading to Certificate bodies. d"Aptitude Professionelle (CAP), or Breva d'Etudes Professionelles (BEP) or Baccalaureat Professionel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Germany 6-164 a) 4-6-3 Age 10 Polytechnic colleges; Highly decentralized - States (Lander) a) Gymnasium - leading to university Universities have primary administrative and b) 4-6 entrance qualification supervisory authority over education. b) Realschulen - leading to vocational c) 4-5 schools or apprenticeships c) Hauptschulen5 - leading to vocational schools or apprenticeships ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Italy 6-14 5-3-5 Age 14 Universities (very little provision for Divided between central and regional Many different types of secondary schools degrees other than lauren, a 4-5 year authority. exist, each catering to a particular career degree) orientation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Japan 6-15 6-3-3 Age 15 Technical colleges; Highly centralized - National Ministry After completion of lower secondary Junior colleges; of Education, Science and Culture has school, students enroll in academic, Universities primary responsibility for supervision of vocational, or comprehensive upper schools; Prefectural boards of secondary schools education provide for local administration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ United 5-16 6-4-2 Age 16 Colleges (not unlike community Decentralized - Responsibility for Kingdom After completion of compulsory education, colleges, but with strong vocational college education shared by central and (England students may continue at same school for elements); Universities (autonomous) local governments until 1992. From and two more years ("sixth form") or transfer virtually all are public and funded by then on colleges joined universities in Wales) to separate institution for further academic national public agencies acting for becoming "incorporated" (autonomous) or vocational education.6 the government. institutions.
1/ Years of primary - lower secondary - upper secondary school.
2/ Secondary schools are generally comprehensive, but a small number of vocational schools exist.
3/ Students may enter special classes to prepare for technical stream at age 13.
4/ Students must be enrolled at least part-time through age 18.
5/ It is possible to transfer from the Hauptschulen to the Realschulen, and from the Realschulen to the Gymnasium.
6/ Traditionally, students took examinations for admittance to selective secondary schools at age 11 ("aa-plus"), but this practice has almost disappeared over 25 years, though there is some evidence of resurgence in a few areas.
[Indicator 45]
[Sources of Data]
Join Newsflash
NCES Blog
EdNCES X
EdNCES Facebook
EdNCES LinkedIn
EdNCES YouTube
