A Comparative Analysis of The Education System in China and The USA

Primary education is the foundation in educational systems no matter in USA or China. Basic language skills, mathematical skills and scientific concepts are introduced to children at ages 4-7. Children continue to build on these concepts through to the age of 12 or 13 until they finish primary education and receive higher education. Still, similarities and differences can be found between the two countries of primary education.

Primary education in China includes preschool and elementary education. Preschool can last up to three years, with children entering as early as age 3, until age 6, when they typically enter elementary school. To compare with primary education in the United States typically refers to the first six years of formal education in most jurisdictions. Primary education may also be referred to as elementary education and most schools offering these programs are referred to as elementary schools. But for USA the preschool programs are less formal and usually not mandated by law, are generally not considered part of primary education. The first year of primary education is commonly referred to as kindergarten and begins at age 5. Subsequent years are usually numbered being referred to as first grade, second grade, and so forth.

The United States of America primary school usually offers a basic core subjects which are language, mathematics, science, social, sports and health, music and art education. Apart from sports, music, arts and crafts needing to the fixed site or the classroom, which can be discharged outside of class, the other sections are taught in a class by a teacher. Most schools also have no fixed schedule, only by the teacher’s master and arrangement. Unlike “learning” is the crucial factor of USA primary education, in China “teaching” is the crucial factor. We also have the courses of language, mathematics, science, social, sports and health, music and art education, but primary school must use the same textbook, teachers have no power to change it. And teaching quality is judged by other teachers. In this aspect, teacher would choose what they consider to be “useful” to teach their students. But it turns out that is not useful in their real life, but only in the exam.

There are dig differences between USA and China in terms of primary education. The primary education in USA place emphasis on diversity and free learning atmosphere, and the life principle is that -play, learn, grow and together, which is what we lack and need to modestly study. While there is no strict core system in the content of the curriculum, happy growth reduce to follow one’s own inclination. In conclusion, each has its own merits. All we need to do is learn from each other, take the essence and discard the dregs, and grow together.