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AppAppeenndidixx AA The Systems of the G-8 Countries

Reader’s guide: education system charts

Differences in the structure of countries’ education systems often ). The left side of each chart is labeled with the typical ages make international comparisons difficult. To improve the compa- corresponding to each level of education. The age labels represent rability of education indicators, the United Nations Educational, the typical age at which a begins the corresponding year of Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) created an inter- schooling; often, are 1 year older at the end of the school nationally comparable method for describing levels of education year. Ages in bold text are the ages at which enrollment is universal, across countries called the International Standard Classification defined as an enrollment rate of over 90 percent. The rectangular of Education (ISCED). Using the ISCED classifications as a starting box encasing some ages represents the range of ages at which point, NCES worked with education professionals in the G-8 coun- enrollment is compulsory, or required by . The expected duration tries to create an overview of each country’s education system. of a first degree program, a bachelor’s degree program in the , is listed in the note below each chart. On the There are differences within the education systems of some G-8 right side of each chart are the years of schooling (“grade,” in the countries due to responsibilities and oversight for education taking United States) corresponding to each level of education. The first place at the regional or local level. However, the charts and accompa- year of schooling corresponds to the first year of compulsory edu- nying text in this appendix are intended to give the a general overview of the education system of each G-8 country, from the cation. The ages and years listed assume normal progress through preprimary to the doctoral level. Thus, some differences within the the education system. education systems of G-8 countries may not be discussed here. ISCED Levels As indicated in the source note for each country chart, the informa- tion summarizing each country’s education system comes largely The ISCED is a classification framework that allows for the align- from the previous Comparative Indicators report (in 2004). However, ment of the content of education systems using multiple classifi- there are some differences in what appears in the current report cation criteria. The ISCED levels address the intent (e.g., to study compared to the 2004 report. As indicated in some of the source basic subjects or prepare students for university) of each year of a notes, some additional information comes from updated online particular education system, but do not indicate the depth or rigor resources. Also, some modifications were made based on comments of study in that year. Thus, the ISCED is useful when comparing the received from several international reviewers: Yves Beaudin of the age range of students in upper secondary across nations; Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (, however, it does not indicate whether the and standards ), Galina Kovalyova of the Russian of Education are equivalent within the same year of schooling across nations. (Moscow, Russian Federation), Thierry Rocher of the Ministry of The ISCED allows researchers to compile statistics on education National Education (Paris, ), Hanako Senuma of the National internationally. The ISCED levels are as follows: Institute for Educational Policy Research (Tokyo, ), and Linda • ISCED level 0 is classified as preprimary education. This is defined Sturman and Liz Twist of the National Foundation for Educational as the initial of organized instruction, designed primarily Research (Slough, ). to introduce very young children to a school-type environment. The reader is encouraged to seek out additional resources to gain ISCED level 0 programs can either be center or school based. a fuller and deeper understanding of each country’s education and programs in the United States fall system. A list of websites with additional information is provided into the level 0 category, although kindergarten is typically at the end of this Reader’s Guide, and additional sources are cited considered an elementary grade in the United States. after each country’s education system is presented. • ISCED level 1 consists of , which usually lasts 4 to 6 years. ISCED level 1 typically begins between ages 5 and How to Read the Charts 7, and is the stage where students begin to study basic subjects, such as reading, writing, and . In the United States, Each of the charts on the following pages is a broad representation elementary school (grades 1 through 6) is classified as level 1. of the education system of a G-8 country. The charts are not intended • At ISCED level 2, or lower , students con- to show all of the possible pathways that a student can take or the tinue to learn the basic subjects taught in level 1, but this level many configurations of grades that may be found within the same is typically more subject specific than level 1 and may be taught school. Rather, each chart is intended to provide a general description by specialized . ISCED level 2 usually lasts between 2 that is useful for comparison across the G-8 countries. and 6 years, and begins around the age of 11. The colors on each chart correspond to ISCED levels (see next sec- and junior high (grades 7 through 9) in the United States are tion). The ISCED term for each level of education is written within classified as level 2. each block. The terms in italics in each block are a country’s designa- • At ISCED level 3, or upper secondary education, student course- tion for that particular level (e.g., high school for upper secondary work is generally subject specific and often taught by specialized

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 61 teachers. Students often enter upper secondary education at the The “NOTE” heading in each section presents information that is age of 15 or 16 and attend anywhere from 2 to 5 years. ISCED important, but that may not be included in either the chart or the level 3 can prepare students for university, further schooling, bulleted text, including within-country variations or features of the or the labor force. Senior high school (grades 9 through 12) is education system that are unique to a particular country. considered level 3 in the United States. • ISCED level 4 programs consist of postsecondary nontertiary Websites with Additional Information programs. Postsecondary nontertiary programs are primarily Canada: http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/81-582-XIE/free.htm vocational and are taken after the completion of secondary (see appendix 3) school, though the content is not more advanced than the content of courses. Although not included in France: http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice the charts, postsecondary nontertiary programs are described in (see France) the text. ISCED level 4 programs in the United States are often in the form of 1-year certificate programs. : http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice (see Germany) • Tertiary programs1 are divided into ISCED levels 5A, 5B, and 6. ISCED level 5A refers to academic education below : http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice the doctoral level. Level 5A programs are intended to provide (see Italy) sufficient qualifications to gain entry into advanced research programs and with high skill requirements. The inter- Japan: http://www.mext.go.jp/english/statist/05101901.htm national classification includes programs of medium length that Russian Federation: http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/russco.htm last less than 5 years and long programs that last 5 to 7 years. In the United States, bachelor’s, master’s, and first professional : http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice degree programs are classified as ISCED level 5A. ISCED level 5B (see United Kingdom: Scotland) refers to vocational . Level 5B programs provide United Kingdom: http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice a higher level of and technical education and are designed (see United Kingdom: , , and ) to prepare students for the labor market. In the international classification, these programs last 2 to 4 years. ISCED level 6 United States: www.ed.gov/international/edus refers to the doctoral level of academic higher education. Level 6 programs usually require the completion of a research or dissertation.

Text Format The text accompanying each chart is meant to give the reader more detail on each country’s education system. The bulleted format is designed to make quick comparisons more convenient, and the text is divided into sections corresponding to the ISCED levels.

1In the international classification, more advanced postsecondary education (such as attending a 4-year or university) is referred to as . In the current report, the term “higher education” is used because this term is more familiar to American readers.

62 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in Canada

Figure A-1. Levels of , by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary College, regional college, , university 18 17 12 Upper secondary 16 11 High school, senior high school, secondary school ISCED levels 4–6 15 10 14 9 ISCED level 3 Lower secondary 13 8 Middle school, intermediate school, junior high school, secondary school ISCED level 2 12 7 ISCED level 1 11 6 10 5 ISCED level 0 9 Primary 4 Elementary school 8 3 7 2 6 1 5 Preprimary Preschool, pre-elementary, kindergarten 4 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of . No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 4 years in Canada. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

NOTE: There are differences within the education system of Canada • Start of universal enrollment: Age 6 due to responsibilities and oversight for education taking place at • Universal enrollment: Yes the regional or local level. However, the purpose of this document • Compulsory: Yes is to present a brief, general summary of education in Canada. Thus, some differences within the education system of Canada may not be NOTE: Elementary school can begin at age 6 or 7 in Canada, de- discussed here. The sources cited at the end of this section provide pending on the jurisdiction. Based on the ISCED, the first 6 years of more specific details about education in Canada. formal schooling are considered , although in some jurisdictions primary school can last for up to 8 years. Preprimary: • Common name: Preschool, pre-elementary, kindergarten Lower secondary: • Ages of attendance: As early as age 4 to age 5 • Common name: Middle school, intermediate school, junior high • Number of years: 1 to 2 school, secondary school • Start of universal enrollment: Does not begin in preprimary; • Ages of attendance: 12 to 14 see below • Number of years: 2 to 3 • Compulsory: Generally no, but yes in some provinces • Universal enrollment: Yes • Compulsory: Yes NOTE: One-year pre-elementary programs are available to Canadian children in all provinces. In some provinces, an additional 1 or 2 • Entrance/exit criteria: No years of pre-elementary programs are offered. NOTE: Based on the ISCED, the 3 years of schooling following primary school are classified as lower secondary school in Canada. Primary: Students may attend 2- or 3-year junior high schools or middle • Common name: Elementary school schools, or they may go directly to a secondary school that includes • Ages of attendance: 6 to 11 both lower and upper secondary school. • Number of years: 6

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 63 Upper secondary: These programs are vocational and are oriented toward pre- • Common name: High school, senior high school, secondary paring students for the labor force in semiprofessional and school technical fields. • Ages of attendance: 15 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18) • : 2- to 3-year programs offered at community col- • Number of years: 3 leges, regional , etc. These programs are vocational and are oriented toward preparing students for the labor force in • Universal enrollment: Through age 17 semiprofessional and technical fields. • Compulsory: Until age 16 in most jurisdictions; until 18 or • Bachelor’s degree: 3- to 4-year academic programs at a graduation in university college or university. (University bachelor’s degree • Entrance/exit criteria: Some provinces have what could be programs are usually 4 years, while university college programs considered an exit exam (e.g., administers a grade can be 3 or 4 years.) 10 literacy , and requires that students take core • Master’s degree: Graduate programs at a university requiring 1 subject exams, which are a significant part of the graduation to 2 years beyond the bachelor’s degree. This degree is designed requirements). to prepare students for professional . NOTE: Based on the ISCED, the last 3 years of schooling prior to • : Academic graduate programs at a university requir- receiving a are classified as upper secondary ing 3 to 5 years after the bachelor’s degree. Doctoral programs school in Canada. Senior high schools may be up to 4 years in prepare students for careers in research. length, and many students attend secondary schools that include both lower and upper secondary school programs. Sources

Postsecondary and tertiary: Canadian Education Statistics Council. (2003). Report of the Pan- Canadian Education Indicators Program, appendix 1. Ontario, • Common name: College, regional college, university college, Canada: Statistics Canada. Retrieved October 31, 2006, from university http://www.cesc.ca/pceip/PCEIP2003en.pdf. • Ages of attendance: Varies • Number of years: Varies according to degree Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). • Universal enrollment: No Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. • Entrance criteria: Graduation from a secondary school academic or university preparatory program—or, in the case of Quebec, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). completion of a 2-year pre-university program—is typically the Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. minimum requirement to be eligible for admission to under- Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and graduate degree programs. However, most institutions and/or Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems departments set their own admissions standards, often with Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational more rigorous requirements. Press.

Common degree programs: • Pre-university programs: 2-year programs that students in Quebec are generally required to complete before they are eligible to attend university. • Certificate: 1-year programs offered at colleges, regional col- leges, community colleges, institutes, and colleges of applied arts and (the name depends on the jurisdiction).

64 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in France

Figure A-2. Levels of , by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary IUT, STS, université, grande école 18 17 Vocational Technological Academic 12 16 Enseignement professional Enseignement technologique Enseignement général 11 Upper secondary/Lycée 15 10 ISCED levels 4–6 14 9 ISCED level 3 13 Lower secondary 8 12 Collège 7 ISCED level 2 11 6 10 5 ISCED level 1 9 4 ISCED level 0 Primary 8 École élémentaire 3 7 2 6 1 5 4 Preprimary 3 École maternelle 2 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 4 years in France. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

Preprimary: • Entrance/exit criteria: Yes; brevet des collèges is the exit exam • Common name: École maternelle for lower secondary. It is a national examination, which deter- • Ages of attendance: As early as age 2 to age 5 mines whether or not students will be able to attend lycée. • Number of years: 1 to 4 Upper secondary: • Start of universal enrollment: Age 3 (see indicator 2) • Common name: Lycée • Compulsory: No ◗ Enseignement professional–Vocational upper secondary school Primary: ◗ Enseignement technologique–Technological upper second- • Common name: École élémentaire ary school • Ages of attendance: 6 to 10 ◗ Enseignement general–Academic upper secondary school • Number of years: 5 • Ages: 15 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18) • Universal enrollment: Yes • Number of years: 3 • Compulsory: Yes • Universal enrollment: Through age 17 (see indicator 2) (most students turn 18 during the last year of upper secondary Lower secondary: school) • Common name: Collège • Compulsory: Until age 16 • Ages of attendance: 11 to 14 • Entrance/exit criteria: In order to enter upper secondary educa- • Number of years: 4 tion, students must pass the brevet des collèges. Students take a • Universal enrollment: Yes national examination, the baccalauréat, during the last year of • Compulsory: Yes secondary school, which determines entrance to university.

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 65 NOTE: All three types of upper secondary school (enseignement • DESS (Diploma of specialized higher studies): Follows the professional, technologique, and general) qualify a student to enter maîtrise; 1-year professional course involving a required in- university, although certain tracks are more likely to lead to univer- ternship. sity: the academic branch (enseignement general) typically leads to • DEA (Diploma of advanced studies): Follows the maîtrise; 1- university and other forms of higher education; the technological year program designed to prepare students for doctoral research. branch (enseignement technologique) may also lead to specialized Involves the preparation of a research project. technological or professional forms of higher education; and the • Medical /dental/pharmacy: Degree programs taken at the vocational branch ( ) more often leads enseignement professional university. Length of program varies and can lead to degrees such to the labor force and/or . as the doctorat de médecine specializé, doctorat de médecine and Postsecondary and tertiary: generale, doctorat pharmacie. • Doctorat: Research-based graduate degree program at a uni- • Common name: IUT, STS, université, grande école versity, leading to a doctorate. Usually requires 5 years of study • Ages of attendance: Varies beyond the maîtrise. • Number of years: Varies according to degree or program • Diplôme grande école: Competitive degree programs (students • Universal enrollment: No must pass a selective entrance exam) in academic subjects, • Entrance criteria: In order to enter into higher education science, commerce, , , business, and programs in France, students are required to have passed the architecture. These are typically 5-year programs and are taken baccalauréat or an equivalent. Entrance to the university is at the grandes écoles. nonselective, meaning that students who have passed the bac- calauréat are entitled to enter. There are, however, competitive Sources entrance exams for the grandes écoles. Eurybase. (2006). The Information Database on Education Systems Common programs (short fields): in Europe: The Education System in France, 2005/2006. Brussels: • DUT (University degree in technology): Taken at the Univer- Eurydice. Retrieved October 31, 2006, from http://194.78.211.243/ sity (IUT). Two-year program in mostly Eurybase/Application/frameset.asp?country=FR&=EN. vocational subjects. Student may choose to continue on toward Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: a license (see following section). A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). • BTS (Higher technical diploma): Two-year program taken in Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. higher education departments of lycées (STS, Institute for Higher Technical Studies); more specialized than degrees from IUT, but Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). also in mostly vocational subjects. Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. • DEUG (General university studies degree): Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and received after completion of 2 years of university. : An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational Common degree programs (long fields): Press. • License: DEUG (see above) plus 1 additional year at university. • Maîtrise: Degree following the license. Requires 1 additional year at university.

66 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in Germany

Figure A-3. Levels of , by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary Berufsakademie, , Universität 19

18 Upper secondary— Upper secondary— Upper secondary— Upper secondary— 13 vocational full-time basic vocational advanced vocational academic 17 (often part-time) Berufsfachschule Fachoberschule /Gymnasiale 12 ISCED levels 4–6 Berufsschule Oberstufe 16 11 ISCED level 3 15 10 14 9 ISCED level 2 Lower secondary— Lower secondary— Lower secondary— Lower secondary— 13 8 general enhanced general academic integrated ISCED level 1 12 Realschule Gymnasium Gesamtschule 7 11 6 ISCED level 0 10 5 9 4 8 Primary 3 7 Grundschule 2 6 1 5 Preprimary 4 Kindergarten 3 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 4 years in Germany. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics; and German Education Server (Deutscher Bildungs Server). (2006). Basic Structure of the Education System in the Federal Republic of Germany. Retrieved January 30, 2007, from http://www.kmk.org/doku/diagr.htm.

NOTE: There are differences within the education system of Germany • Number of years: 4 due to responsibilities and oversight for education taking place at • Start of universal enrollment: Age 6 (see indicator 2) the regional or local level. However, the purpose of this document is • Compulsory: Yes to present a brief, general summary of education in Germany. Thus, some differences within the education system of Germany may not NOTE: In some Länder (the German equivalent of states), Grund- be discussed here. The sources cited at the end of this section provide schule lasts 6 years. more specific details about education in Germany. Lower secondary: Preprimary: • Common name: • Common name: Kindergarten ◗ Hauptschule–General secondary school • Ages of attendance: As early as age 3 to age 5 ◗ Realschule–Enhanced general education secondary school • Number of years: 1 to 3 ◗ Gymnasium–Academic secondary school • Start of universal enrollment: Does not begin in preprimary; ◗ Gesamtschule–Integrated secondary school, meaning that see below students are not split into separate general education and • Compulsory: No academic tracks ◗ Ages of attendance: 10 to 15 NOTE: Students may attend preprimary programs in a few schools at age 2. • Number of years: 5 to 6 • Universal enrollment: Yes Primary: • Compulsory: Yes • Common name: Grundschule • Entrance/exit criteria: In some Länder, admissions tests deter- • Ages of attendance: 6 to 9 mine if a student can take the education tracks of Realschule or Gymnasium.

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 67 NOTE: There are different types of secondary schools, some combin- Postsecondary and tertiary: ing Hauptschule and Realschule. The secondary school a student • Common name: Berufsakademie, Fachhochschule, Universität in Germany attends is determined by a combination of factors, • Ages of attendance: Varies depending on the Länder: admissions tests, previous grade point average, recommendations, and parents’ wishes. The degree • Number of years: Varies according to degree of flexibility that a parent has in choosing which educational track • Universal enrollment: No their child enters also varies between regions. • Entrance criteria: Students must pass the in order to enter university. Students must have at a minimum a Fach- However, the type of school a student attends is sometimes less hochschulreife (vocational upper secondary diploma) in order important than the chosen track: at the end of lower secondary, all to enter the tertiary sector. students who meet the requirements receive a leaving certificate. At the it is generally the , but stu- Hauptschule Hauptschulabschluss Common degree programs: dents who excel may receive a Realschulabschluss (called the Mit- tlere Schulabschluss in some Länder). At the Realschule, students • Fachhochschule—FH: 4-year degree program in applied typically receive the Realschulabschluss; at the Gesamtschule, both fields such as engineering, administration, social services, and types of are offered. All students attending Gymnasium design. Admission to a Fachhochschule is competitive due to who advance to the upper secondary level automatically receive restricted numbers of available spaces. the Realschulabschluss. • Diplom Berufsakademie—BA: 3-year program of academic training combined with work experience. Offered at a Beruf- Some Länder also have an orientation phase during the first 2 years sakademie. of lower secondary school, which gives parents and teachers 2 more • Diplom: Master’s degree equivalent usually requiring a minimum years to decide a child’s educational path. In Länder with a 6-year of 4 years of study. Universität offers this degree in academic primary school, lower secondary school is 2 years shorter. fields as well as scientific, technical, and engineering fields. Upper secondary: • Magister: Usually requires 2 years beyond the Diplom, taken at • Common name: Universität. • Doktorgrad: Doctoral degree program, focused on research ◗ Berufsschule–3- to 4- year , which often and taken at Universität. Normally requires at least 2 years includes an ; many students at this school beyond the Magister, but some students attend after receiving attend part time while also doing an apprenticeship. a Diplom. ◗ Berufsfachschule–1- to 3-year full-time basic vocational school Sources ◗ Fachoberschule–2-year advanced vocational school ◗ Gymnasium/Gymnasiale Oberstufe–Academic upper second- Eurybase. (2003). The Information Database on Education Systems in ary school. Gymnasium continues from lower secondary Europe: The Education System in Germany, 2002/2003. Brussels: school. Gymnasiale Oberstufe follows the same curriculum Eurydice. Retrieved October 31, 2006, from http://194.78.211.243/ as the Gymnasium, but comes after Gesamtschule. Eurybase/Application/frameset.asp?country=DE&language=EN. • Ages: 16 to 18 (graduation generally at 19 for academic pro- German Education Server (Deutscher Bildungs Server). (2006). grams; 18 or 19 for others) Glossary for the Education System in the Federal Republic of • Number of years: 1 to 4 Germany. Chiefly compiled by the Standing Conference of the • Universal enrollment: Through age 17 (see indicator 2) (most State Ministers of Education and in the Federal Republic students in long programs turn 19 during the last year of upper of Germany (KMK). Retrieved October 31, 2006, from http://www. secondary school) eduserver.de/glossare.html?sp=1. • Compulsory: Until age 18 Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: • Entrance/exit criteria: Students must pass the Abitur in order to A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). enter university and other forms of higher education. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. NOTE: Gymnasium and Gesamtschule are generally combined lower Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). and upper secondary schools, although students concentrate their Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. studies on fewer subjects during the last years of Gymnasium. Some Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1999). offer fast tracks, where students can graduate from Länder Gymnasi- INES Network A Newsletter, Issue 10. Paris: Author. um a year early. Additionally, a few Länder offer the Berufsoberschule, a vocational upper secondary school for those who have completed Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and vocational training or have 5 years of work experience. Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational Press.

68 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in Italy

Figure A-4. Levels of education in Italy, by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary Accademia, scuola diretta a fini speciali, università 19 18 13 Fine arts Vocational Technical Academic 17 Istituti d’arte Istituti professionali Istituti tecnici Liceo 12 16 11 ISCED levels 4–6 15 Upper secondary 10 ISCED level 3 14 Scuola secondaria di secondo grado 9 13 8 ISCED level 2 12 Lower secondary 7 Scuola secondaria di primo grado ISCED level 1 11 6 10 5 ISCED level 0 9 4 Primary 8 Scuola primaria 3 7 2 6 1 5 Preprimary 4 Scuola dell’infanzia 3 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 5 years in Italy. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics; and Eurybase. (2006). The Information Database on Education Systems in Europe: The Education System in Italy, 2005/2006. Brussels: Eurydice. Retrieved October 31, 2006, from http://194.78.211.243/Eurybase/Application/frameset.asp?country=IT&language=EN.

Preprimary: • Compulsory: Yes • Common name: Scuola dell’infanzia • Entrance/exit criteria: Yes, there is a national exit examina- • Ages of attendance: As early as age 3 to age 5 tion, which students must pass to obtain the diploma di esame and enter into • Number of years: 1 to 3 di stato conclusivo del primo ciclo di istruzione upper secondary school. • Start of universal enrollment: Age 3 (see indicator 2) • Compulsory: No Upper secondary: • Common name: Scuola secondaria di secondo grado Primary: ◗ Istituti d’arte, liceo artistico–Fine arts schools and institutes • Common name: Scuola primaria ◗ Istituti professionali–Vocational schools • Ages of attendance: 6 to 11 ◗ Istituti tecnici–Specialized technical schools • Number of years: 5 ◗ , scientifico, linguistico, socio-psico-peda- • Universal enrollment: Yes gogico–Academic upper secondary schools • Compulsory: Yes • Ages of attendance: 14 to 18 (graduation generally at age 19) • Number of years: 5 Lower secondary: • Universal enrollment: Through age 15 (see indicator 2) • Common name: Scuola secondaria di primo grado • Compulsory: Beginning in the 2004–05 school year, upper • Ages of attendance: 11 to 14 secondary education was classified as a “right and a duty.” This • Number of years: 3 terminology is used to indicate that completing upper secondary • Universal enrollment: Yes education is expected, although not required by law.

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 69 • Entrance/exit criteria: Students must possess the diploma di trale), with third-cycle degree options (, diploma esame di stato conclusivo del primo ciclo di istruzione from lower di specializzazione) that are similar to a doctorate in the United secondary school to enter upper secondary school. At the end States. These changes were made to increase educational exchange of 5 years of instruction, students must pass a national exami- between Italy and other countries. nation in order to obtain a diploma di superamento dell’esame di stato. Common degree programs: NOTE: Every student who has completed 5 years of upper secondary • Accademia degrees: Fine arts, restoration, and degrees. degrees have been divided into two cycles according school and has obtained a diploma di superamento dell’esame di Accademia to the recent reforms, the first one taking 3 years to complete stato may attend university and other forms of higher education. Students are tracked in academic as well as technical and voca- and the second one taking 2 years to complete. The diploma tional schools in Italy. Students in Italy may attend specialized accademico di primo livello is awarded after the first cycle, and the is awarded after the art schools, such as istituti d’arte and liceo artistico at the upper diploma accademico di secondo livello secondary level. Students attending vocational schools may at- second cycle. tend 3- or 5-year training or apprenticeship programs in applied • : A first-level university degree taking 3 years from fields, after which they often enter the labor force. university entry to complete. It is characterized by both theo- focuses on modern foreign and . The liceo clas- retical and applied studies, similar to a bachelor’s degree in the sico and scientifico prepare students for university studies. Liceo United States. classico focuses on , , and and Greek • Laurea specialistica/magistrale: Graduate specialized degree languages. focuses on mathematics and science. requiring 2 years of university study after a first-level degree, Liceo socio-psico-pedagogico has a sociological, psychological, and similar to a master’s degree in the United States. pedagogical orientation. • Master universitario di primo livello: A professional graduate program requiring at least 1 year of study after obtaining a Postsecondary and tertiary: laurea. • Common name: Accademia, scuola diretta a fini speciali, uni- • Master universitario di secondo livello: A professional gradu- versità ate program requiring at least 1 year of study after obtaining ◗ Alta formazione artistica e musicale–Arts and music a laurea specialistica/magistrale. ◗ Scuole superiori per la mediazione linguistica–Language • Dottorato di ricerca: Doctoral degree program focusing on mediation research and taken at a university. Typically requires 3 years of ◗ Istruzione e formazione tecnica superiore–Technical educa- instruction after the laurea specialistica/magistrale. tion and training • Diploma di specializzazione: Doctoral degree program for a spe- ◗ Laurea, laurea specialistica, dottorato di ricerca, diploma di cialized , such as medicine or law. Typically specializzione–Academic higher education, university requires 2–6 years after the laurea specialistica/magistrale. • Ages of attendance: Varies • Number of years: Varies according to degree program Sources • Universal enrollment: No Eurybase. (2006). The Information Database on Education Systems in • Entrance criteria: In order to enter university, students must Europe: The Education System in Italy, 2005/2006. Brussels: Eu- possess a diploma di superamento dell’esame di stato, a second- rydice. Retrieved October 31, 2006, from http://194.78.211.243/ ary school diploma obtained after passing a national exam. Some Eurybase/Application/frameset.asp?country=IT&language=EN. students may also enter university with a regional certificate, Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: which is issued on the basis of professional experience in a A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). vocational field. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. NOTE: The higher education system in Italy underwent a reform Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). process in order to make it more compatible with the higher edu- Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. cation systems of other European countries. are now based on two main cycles (the 3-year , or laurea, Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and followed by a 2 year , or laurea specialistica/magis- Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational Press.

70 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in Japan

Figure A-5. Levels of , by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary Tankidaigaku, koutousenmongakkou, daigaku 18 17 12 Upper secondary 16 Koutougakkou 11 15 10 ISCED levels 4–6 14 9 ISCED level 3 Lower secondary 13 8 Chugakkou ISCED level 2 12 7 11 6 ISCED level 1 10 5 ISCED level 0 9 Primary 4 Shogakkou 8 3 7 2 6 1 5 Preprimary 4 Hoikuen, yochien 3 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 4 years in Japan. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

Preprimary: • Compulsory: Yes • Common name: Hoikuen, yochien • Entrance/exit criteria: No • Ages of attendance: As early as age 3 to age 5 NOTE: Recently, unified lower and upper secondary schools chut( - • Number of years: 1 to 3 oukyoikugakkou) have been introduced in Japan. • Start of universal enrollment: Age 4 (see indicator 2) • Compulsory: No Upper secondary: • Common name: Koutougakkou NOTE: Around 60 percent of 5-year-old students attend yochien • Ages of attendance: 15 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18) (kindergarten), while others attend hoikuen ( centers). • Number of years: 3 Primary: • Universal enrollment: Through age 17 (see indicator 2) • Common name: Shogakkou • Compulsory: No • Ages of attendance: 6 to 11 • Entrance/exit criteria: Yes, students in Japan are placed into • Number of years: 6 upper secondary schools based on test scores and school report cards from lower secondary school. Scoring well influences • Universal enrollment: Yes students’ chances of attending the most prestigious upper • Compulsory: Yes secondary schools in their area.

Lower secondary: NOTE: Juku refers to “cram school” or night school, which prepares • Common name: Chugakkou students for upper secondary school entrance exams. Students may also choose to attend vocational/technical institutes (kou- • Ages of attendance: 12 to 14 tousenmongakkou), which combine upper secondary school with • Number of years: 3 vocational higher education leading to the associate’s degree. See • Universal enrollment: Yes below for details on koutousenmongakkou.

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 71 Postsecondary and tertiary: • Shushi: Graduate program taken at a daigaku that normally re- • Common name: Tankidaigaku, koutousenmongakkou, daigaku quires 2 years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Equivalent • Ages of attendance: Varies to a master’s degree in the United States. • Number of years: 2 (tankidaigaku), 3 (koutousenmongakkou), • Professional degree programs: Medical, dental, and veterinary 4 (daigaku, excluding medical and dental degrees), 6 (daigaku, graduate programs taken at daigaku that last 4 years beyond medical and dental degrees) the bachelor’s degree. • Universal enrollment: No • Hakushi: Academic graduate program at a daigaku requiring at • Entrance criteria: To enter national universities, most of the least 5 years beyond the bachelor’s degree. This degree is the students take an entrance examination offered by the National equivalent of a doctorate in the United States. Center for University Entrance Examinations and an examina- tion conducted by the university itself. For some universities, Sources entrance examinations are very competitive, while others are Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: not so competitive. A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. Common degree programs: • Jun-gakushi (at vocational and technical institutes): 5-year Ministry of Education, , Sports, Science and Technology programs for students to combine upper secondary school (MEXT). Japan’s Education at a Glance 2005. Tokyo: Author. with vocational training. The first 3 years of these programs Retrieved October 31, 2006, from http://www.mext.go.jp/ are spent at the upper secondary level and the last 2 earning a english/statist/05101901.htm. jun-gakushi (associate’s degree). These programs are given at Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). in subjects like public works, mechanical koutousenmongakkou, Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. engineering, and information technology. • Jun-gakushi (at ): Programs normally requiring Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and 2 years of study, taken at junior colleges (tankidaigaku), that Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Sys- prepare students for a career in fields like home , tems Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific , education, and . Junior colleges have Educational Press. traditionally enrolled mostly women. • Gakushi: Academic degree normally requiring 4 years of study that is similar to a bachelor’s degree. Given at a daigaku (college or university). Preprofessional programs in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine take 6 years.

72 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in the Russian Federation

Figure A-6. Levels of education in the Russian Federation, by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary Kolledž, technikum, universitet 18 Combined professional/academic Professional Academic Kolledž, professional’ny litsei, 17 Professional’no-technicheskoe uchilische Srednee (polnoe) obshchee obrasovanie technikum 11 16 Upper secondary 10 ISCED levels 4–6 15 9 ISCED level 3 14 8 Lower secondary 13 Osnovnoe obshchee obrazovanie 7 ISCED level 2 12 6 ISCED level 1 11 5 10 4 ISCED level 0 9 Primary 3 8 Nachal’noje obshchee obrazovanie 2 7 1 6 5 Preprimary Doshkolnoe obrazovanie 4 3 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 4 years in the Russian Federation. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

Preprimary: Lower secondary: • Common name: Doshkolnoe obrazovanie • Common name: Osnovnoe obshchee obrazovanie (Basic school) • Ages of attendance: As early as age 3 to age 6 • Ages of attendance: 11 to 15 • Number of years: 1 to 4 • Number of years: 5 • Start of universal enrollment: Does not begin in preprimary; • Universal enrollment: Yes, through age 14 (see indicator 2) see below (most students turn 16 during the last year of lower secondary • Compulsory: No school) • Compulsory: Yes, until age 15 Primary: • Entrance/exit criteria: Yes, in order to graduate from basic • Common name: Nachal’noje obshchee obrazovanie school, students must pass four written examinations: one in • Ages of attendance: 7 to 10 , one in algebra, and two in other subjects chosen by the student. • Number of years: 4 • Start of universal enrollment: Age 7 (see indicator 2) NOTE: Basic general education includes primary and lower sec- • Compulsory: Yes ondary school. Graduates of lower secondary school may either continue their education at upper secondary school to receive NOTE: There are no formal divisions between primary, lower second- secondary complete general education, go to vocational schools to ary, and upper secondary schools in the Russian Federation. Primary, receive professional training, or go to secondary vocational schools lower secondary, and upper secondary schools are generally located to receive a combination of academic and . in the same buildings except in rural areas.

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 73 Upper secondary: • Diploma o nepolnom vysshem obrazovanii (diploma of in- • Common name: Professional’no-technicheskoe uchilische; complete higher education): If students leave university after kolledž, professional’ny litsei, or technikum; srednee (polnoe) at least 2 years of study, they may ask for this diploma, which obshchee obrasovanie allows them to work in certain that require some university • Ages of attendance: 16 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18) experience but not a degree. • Number of years: 2 • Bakalavr (bachelor’s degree): Program requiring 4 years of university study. • Universal enrollment: No • Magistr (master’s degree): Competitive 2-year program for • Compulsory: No students who have completed their bakalavr’s degree. Most • Entrance/exit criteria: Students in the Russian Federation must require a year of research and a thesis. pass five written exams at the end of secondary school in order • Diplom: This specialized diploma can be obtained either by com- to obtain the Certificate of Secondary Complete General Educa- pleting 1 year of study beyond the bakalavr or by completing 5 tion. These exams include Algebra and , Literature, and to 6 years of continuous study after upper secondary school. three other subjects chosen by the student. • Kandidat nauk: Students who hold a diplom or magistr are NOTE: Students who have graduated from lower secondary school eligible to apply for these programs, which typically last for 3 have the option to continue in three types of upper secondary years and require students to carry out independent research schools: and defend a dissertation in public. Equivalent of a doctorate • Professional’no-technicheskoe uchilische: These schools provide in the United States. professional education only in a program that usually lasts 2 • Doktor nauk: This is the highest possible academic degree in years. the Russian Federation, for which there is no U.S. equivalent. • Srednee (polnoe) obshchee obrasovanie: Students who wish to This degree requires that a kandidat nauk gain reputation in his continue their academic training enter these upper second- or her field of study, publish independent research, and have ary schools, which last for 2 years and provide students with experience supervising undergraduates. A 3-year is a Certificate of Secondary Complete General Education. This often taken to prepare research for the degree, although there certificate qualifies students to apply for entrance into higher is no specified length of time required to obtain it. The doktor education. Graduates may also continue their study in initial nauk requires a public dissertation defense (in addition to the and secondary vocational schools. defense completed to obtain a kandidat nauk). • Kolledž, professional’ny litsei, or technikum: These schools provide combined professional and academic programs that Sources lead to a diploma (Certificate of Secondary Complete General EuroEducation Net (2002). Education Systems in Europe: . Education). The programs are usually 3 or 4 years. London: EuroEducation. Retrieved November 2, 2006, from http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/russco.htm. Postsecondary and tertiary: • Common name: Kolledž, technikum, universitet Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: • Ages of attendance: Varies A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. • Number of years: Varies according to degree • Universal enrollment: No Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). Paris: Author. • Entrance criteria: There are entrance exams, called vstupitelnoe Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. ispytanie, to be accepted into university. The number of exams Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and and the subject varies according to the department a student Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems wishes to attend, although all students must take an exam in Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational Russian language. Press.

Common degree programs: • Nonuniversity-level diploma: Obtained from kolledž (colleges) and technikum (technical colleges). These diplomas are in ap- plied or vocational fields and require 2 years of study after secondary school. Students may be able to enter university-level institutions after completing this degree and transfer some or all credits toward a bakalavr.

74 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in the United Kingdom The Education System in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales Figure A-7. Levels of , Northern Ireland, and Wales, by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary Higher education (HE), college, university 18 17 13 (FE) college School , 16 12 15 11 Upper secondary ISCED levels 4–6 14 , , , secondary modern school 10 13 9 ISCED level 3 Lower secondary 12 Key stage , comprehensive school, grammar school, secondary modern school 8 ISCED level 2 11 7 ISCED level 1 10 6 9 5 ISCED level 0 8 Primary 4 7 Key stages 1 and 2, , 3 6 2 5 1 4 Preprimary , nursery school, class 3 Age1 Year of schooling2

1In Northern Ireland, however, compulsory enrollment begins at age 4. 2In Northern Ireland, however, there are 14 years of schooling, with year 1 beginning at the preprimary level (age 4). NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 3 years in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

NOTE: There are differences within the education system of the between nursery school and for students who will United Kingdom due to responsibilities and oversight for education achieve compulsory school age later in that academic year. taking place at the regional or local level. However, the purpose of this document is to present a brief, general summary of education Primary: in the United Kingdom. Thus, some differences within the educa- • Common name: Key stages 1 and 2, infant school, junior tion system of the United Kingdom may not be discussed here. The school sources cited at the end of this section provide more specific details • Ages of attendance: 5 to 10 (England and Wales), 4 to 10 about education in the United Kingdom. (Northern Ireland) • Number of years: 6 (England and Wales), 7 (Northern Ireland) Preprimary: • Universal enrollment: Yes • Common name: Foundation stage, nursery school, reception class • Compulsory: Yes • Ages of attendance: 3 to 4 NOTE: The primary school years are divided into two stages. The first • Number of years: 1 to 2 stage (key stage 1), which may be preceded by the reception class, • Start of universal enrollment: Age 4 (see indicator 2) is sometimes called infant school. It consists of the first 2 years (in England and Wales) or 3 years (in Northern Ireland) of primary • Compulsory: No school. The second stage () is often called junior school NOTE: Some students attend a “reception class” between nursery and encompasses the next 4 years of primary school. school and primary school. This is comparable to kindergarten in the United States, with academic activities, and provides a “bridge” Lower secondary: • Common name: , comprehensive school, grammar school, secondary modern school

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 75 • Ages of attendance: 11 to 13 • Universal enrollment: No • Number of years: 3 • Entrance criteria: GCE Advanced levels (A level) or equivalent, such • Universal enrollment: Yes as the Vocational Certificate of Education or A level in applied • Compulsory: Yes subjects, are required for admittance into the tertiary sector. • Entrance/exit criteria: No (except for grammar schools, which Common degree programs: set entrance criteria) • Certificates of higher education:1-year vocational courses. NOTE: Although lower and upper secondary school are typically • Diploma: Short undergraduate programs, which vary in length, combined in the United Kingdom, the first 3 years of secondary offered at colleges and universities. school are classified as lower secondary under the ISCED and are • Foundation degree: -related higher education commonly referred to as key stage 3. Some areas have grammar qualification taking 2 years to complete and offered at colleges schools and secondary modern schools, which enroll children with and universities. higher and lower achievement, respectively. • Bachelor’s degree: 3- to 4-year academic programs at colleges Upper secondary: or universities. Most students opt for an honors degree, the requirements of which are specific to schools and departments. • Common name: , comprehensive school, grammar Honors degrees are an entrance requirement for most , secondary modern school, school sixth form, sixth form programs. college, further education college • Advanced short degree: Short degree programs, which vary • Ages of attendance: 14 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18) in length, for students who have already acquired a bachelor’s • Number of years: 4 degree, for example, the of education. • Universal enrollment: Through age 16 (see indicator 2) Courses offered are often -oriented. • Compulsory: Until age 16 • Master’s degree: Usually a taught (as opposed to research) • Entrance/exit criteria: In order to obtain the General Certificate postgraduate degree offered at colleges and universities. One of Secondary Education (GCSE), students take a series of single- year or more beyond an honors bachelor’s degree. subject examinations after the first 2 years of upper secondary • Professional degrees: Advanced degrees in professional fields school (at age 15/16). The General Certificate of Education (GCE) such as engineering, accounting, medicine, and information Advanced levels (A levels) and the GCE Advanced Subsidiary science. Number of years required to complete varies. examinations (AS levels) are similar tests taken in the sixth • Doctorate: Research-oriented postgraduate degree. Minimum form (described below). of 3 years in duration. NOTE: Comprehensive schools, grammar schools, and secondary modern schools all lead to the General Certificate of Secondary Sources Education (GCSE), typically at age 16. After the first 2 years of upper Eurybase. (2005). The Information Database on Education Systems in secondary school, and after receiving the GCSE, students have the Europe: The Education System in the United Kingdom (England, option of continuing school for 2 years, often called the sixth form. Wales, and Northern Ireland), 2004/2005. Brussels: Eurydice. Some schools do not offer the sixth form, in which case students can Retrieved November 2, 2006, from http://194.78.211.243/Eury- transfer to a sixth form college (which is similar but in a separate base/Application/frameset.asp?country=UK&language=VO. school) or go to a further education college. Sixth forms usually offer the General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: qualification (GCE AS level) at age 17 and the General Certificate A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). of Education Advanced level examination (GCE A level) at age 18. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. GCE A levels are usually required for entry to higher education. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). Increasingly, however, students are able to enter higher education Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. with a parallel qualification such as the Vocational Certificate of Education (VCE). These vocational certificates are also known as A Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and levels in applied subjects. If students choose not to enter sixth form, Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems their options are the labor force (often through or Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational training courses) or a further education sector college. Fur- Press. ther education sector colleges have traditionally offered vocational courses, but increasingly have academic programs.

Postsecondary and tertiary: • Common name: Higher education (HE), college, university • Ages of attendance: Varies • Number of years: Varies according to degree

76 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in the United Kingdom The Education System in Scotland

Figure A-8. Levels of , by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary Further education college, university 18 17 Upper secondary 13 16 Secondary school, community education centre, further education college 12 15 11 ISCED levels 4–6 14 10 Lower secondary ISCED level 3 13 Secondary school 9 ISCED level 2 12 8 11 7 ISCED level 1 10 6 ISCED level 0 9 5 Primary 8 Primary school 4 7 3 6 2 5 1 4 Preprimary 3 Day nurseries, nursery classes, nursery school Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 3 or 4 years in Scotland. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

NOTE: The education system in Scotland is different from that which Lower secondary: exists in the rest of the United Kingdom. Responsibility for educa- • Common name: Secondary school tion is held by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive • Ages of attendance: 12 to 15 Education Department (SEED). • Number of years: 4 Preprimary: • Universal enrollment: Through age 16 (see indicator 2) (most • Common name: Day nurseries, nursery classes, nursery school students turn 16 during the last year of lower secondary school) • Ages of attendance: As early as age 3 to age 4 • Compulsory: Yes, until age 16 • Number of years: 1 to 2 • Start of universal enrollment: Age 4 • Entrance/exit criteria: No restrictions on entrance. At the end of lower secondary education, students generally take the examina- • Compulsory: No tions for the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) at Standard Grade or National Qualifications courses/units. These examina- Primary: tions are intended to be taken by the whole school population. • Common name: Primary school • Ages of attendance: 5 to 11 Upper secondary: • Number of years: 7 • Common name: Secondary school, community education centre, • Universal enrollment: Yes further education college • Compulsory: Yes • Ages of attendance: 16 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18) • Number of years: 2 • Universal enrollment: Through age 16

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 77 • Compulsory: No programs, but research master’s degrees are generally longer. • Entrance/exit criteria: A unified system of National Qualifica- Entrance into a master’s program generally requires a bachelor’s tions exams has been introduced for students in secondary degree. schools, further education colleges, and training centers. • Professional degree programs: Programs leading to professional Students who plan to go into higher education take the higher registration as a doctor, dentist, etc. Typically require 5 years level examinations of the SQC. beyond the bachelor’s degree. NOTE: During upper secondary school, students in Scotland have the • Doctorate: A doctorate generally requires 3 years of full-time option to continue in a traditional secondary school or to attend study or 4 to 6 years if part time. further education colleges. There are also nationally funded training and apprenticeship programs in which students can participate if Sources they choose not to attend upper secondary school. Eurybase. (2006). The Information Database on Education Systems in Europe: The Education System in the United Kingdom (Scot- Postsecondary and tertiary: land), 2005/2006. Brussels: Eurydice. Retrieved November 2, • Common name: Further education college, university 2006, from http://194.78.211.243/Eurybase/Application/frame- • Ages of attendance: Varies set.asp?country=SC&language=VO. • Number of years: Varies according to course/degree Eurydice. (2003). Focus on the Structure of Higher Education in • Universal enrollment: No Europe 2003/04: National Trends in the . Brus- • Entrance criteria: The usual entry requirements for university sels: Eurydice. Retrieved November 2, 2006, from http://www. are the higher or advanced higher level examinations of the eurydice.org/ressources/eurydice/pdf/0_integral/039EN.pdf. SQC (see above). Further education colleges admit students who have just left school at age 16, students who have left school Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: at age 17 or 18 with and without formal certification, and are A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). now admitting an increasing number of older students. Admis- Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. sion requirements at further education colleges are decided by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). the institution. Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. Common degree programs: Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and • Further education colleges provide mainly vocational educa- Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems tion courses at the secondary level, but also have some higher Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational education programs. Press. • Bachelor’s degree: Courses leading to an ordinary bachelor’s Scottish Executive Education Department. (2005). National Dos- degree last 3 years, while courses leading to a degree with sier on Education and Training in Scotland. Edinburgh: Author. honors are typically 4 years. There are also some courses where Retrieved November 2, 2006, from http://www.scotland.gov. the first award is a master’s degree. uk/Publications/2005/06/13113114/31203. • Master’s degree: Taught master’s degrees are typically 1-year

78 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries The Education System in the United States

Figure A-9. Levels of education in the United States, by age and year of schooling: 2006

Postsecondary and tertiary , college, university 18 17 12 Upper secondary 16 High school, senior high school 11 ISCED levels 4–6 15 10 14 9 ISCED level 3 Lower secondary 13 8 Middle school, junior high school ISCED level 2 12 7 11 6 ISCED level 1 10 5 ISCED level 0 9 Primary 4 8 Elementary school, grade school 3 7 2 6 1 5 Preprimary 4 Nursery school, prekindergarten, kindergarten 3 Age Year of schooling

NOTE: Ages represent the typical age at the beginning of the school year. Numbers in bold print indicate ages of universal enrollment (i.e., an enrollment rate of over 90 percent). Numbers shaded represent the age at which compulsory enrollment begins through the age at which compulsory enrollment ends. In some countries, enrollment rates may fall below universal before the ending age of compulsory education. No meaning should be inferred from width of subdivisions. Duration of first university degree program is generally 4 years in the United States. SOURCE: Sen, A., Partelow, L., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

NOTE: There are differences within the education system of the • Start of universal enrollment: Age 6 (see indicator 2) United States due to responsibilities and oversight for education • Compulsory: Yes taking place at the regional or local level. However, the purpose of this document is to present a brief, general summary of education NOTE: Based on the ISCED, the first 6 years of schooling are clas- in the United States. Thus, some differences within the education sified as primary in the United States. Students may attend 5- or system of the United States may not be discussed here. The sources 6-year elementary schools. Some students also attend elementary cited at the end of this section provide more specific details about schools that include eight grades. education in the United States. Lower secondary: Preprimary: • Common name: Middle school, junior high school • Common name: Nursery school, prekindergarten, kindergarten • Ages of attendance: 12 to 14 • Ages of attendance: As early as age 3 to age 5 • Number of years: 3 • Number of years: 1 to 3 • Universal enrollment: Yes • Start of universal enrollment: Does not begin in preprimary; • Compulsory: Yes see below • Entrance/exit criteria: No • Compulsory: Generally no, but yes in some states NOTE: Based on the ISCED, the 3 years of schooling following primary school are classified as lower secondary in the United Primary: States. Students may attend 2- or 3-year junior high schools or • Common name: Elementary school, grade school middle schools. Some students also attend combined junior-senior • Ages of attendance: 6 to 11 high schools. • Number of years: 6

Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries 79 Upper secondary: college or university. Granted at vocational and technical in- • Common name: High school, senior high school stitutes as well as community colleges. • Ages of attendance: 15 to 17 (graduation generally in the year of • Bachelor’s degrees: 4-year academic programs at a college or the student’s 18th birthday, though this can vary depending on a university that prepare students for the labor force or gradu- student’s birth date and the state’s kindergarten cut-off date) ate study. • Number of years: 3 • Master’s degrees: Graduate program at a university that requires • Universal enrollment: Through age 16 (see indicator 2) (most stu- 2 years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree and leads to a dents turn 18 during the last year of upper secondary school) master’s degree. • Compulsory: The average ending age of compulsory education in • Professional degrees: Graduate programs such as medicine the United States is 17 (see indicator 2). This age varies across or law taken at a university medical or . Typically states, ranging from 16 to 18; the modal age is 16 require 3 or more years beyond the bachelor’s degree and result in specialized degrees such as the Medical Doctorate (M.D.) or • Entrance/exit criteria: There are not generally entrance exams, (J.D.). although some states have begun instituting exit examinations that are required to receive a diploma. College-bound students • Doctorate: Academic graduate program at a university typi- usually take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or ACT Assess- cally requiring a minimum of 3 or 4 years of study and research ment (ACT), privately administered standardized tests that partly beyond the bachelor’s degree. determine college admittance. Admittance is also affected by previous grades, coursework, and other factors such as teacher Sources recommendations and extracurricular participation. Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: NOTE: Based on the ISCED, the last 3 years of schooling prior to A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). receiving a high school diploma are classified as upper secondary in Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. the United States. Senior high schools may be 3 or 4 years in length. Some students attend combined junior-senior high schools. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author. Postsecondary and tertiary: Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and • Common name: Community college, college, university Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems • Ages of attendance: Varies Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational • Number of years: Varies according to degree Press. • Universal enrollment: No Sen, A., Partelow, L.A., and Miller, D.C. (2005). Comparative Indica- • Entrance criteria: Varies according to degree. Students in the tors of Education in the United States and Other G8 Countries: United States usually take the SAT or ACT (see above) as part of 2004 (NCES 2005-021). U.S. Department of Education. Wash- the entrance requirements for higher education. Most colleges ington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. and universities set their own admissions standards, so the re- quirements vary substantially from institution to institution. Sherman, J.D., Honneger, S.D., and McGivern, J.L. (2003). Compara- tive Indicators of Education in the United States and Other G8 Common degree programs: Countries: 2002 (NCES 2003-026). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. • Certificate programs: Vocational programs of 6 months to 1 year offered in public community colleges and private for-profit Snyder, T.D. (2004). Mini-Digest of Education Statistics, 2003 (NCES trade schools. 2005-017). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for • Associate’s degrees: 2-year programs offered in fields of study Education Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Print- that prepare students for the labor force or entry into a 4-year ing Office.

80 Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-8 Countries