Comparison between American and European educational systems

¶ … Educational Trends in U.S. And Europe: Critical Factors for Student Success

This study will attempt to examine the educational trends currently occurring within the U.S. And Europe in order to identify what the top three trends are in education that might impact students of the future, and to identify what critical factors must be adopted by educators to improve the performance of students who will be matriculating to a global workplace in the future. The researcher will adopt qualitative methods for purposes of this study, particularly use of an in-depth questionnaire to discern what trends teachers within the U.S. And abroad currently influence students and educators the most. A comprehensive literature review will be carried out. The information gathered from the field and the literature review will be compared so that the researcher can develop a theory with regard to educational outcomes that is grounded in research.

Introduction

The purpose of this research study will be an examination of trends in today's education. More specifically the researcher intends to compare the U.S. educational system with the European educational system in order to identify (1) what the three major trends are in education today and (2) what critical factors related to education and teaching are most likely to improve student performance in the global economy of the future.

Current studies related to education indicate that time and time again European students score better than American students on critical subjects including mathematics and the sciences (Assenova, 2003). The extent to which this discrepancy is important or relevant has been debated by numerous researchers; there are some researchers that have claimed that a liberal arts education, such as that more frequently encouraged and offered in the United States, is more important that a strictly science-based education (Boys, Kosciolek, Spicuzza & Ysseldyke, 2003).

Significance of Study

In today's global economy it is more important than ever that students are trained with the skills they will need to succeed in the workforce. This training begins within the educational system. It is vital that educational organizations recognize the trends that are occurring in education, and work to correct any that may not be contributing to the overall welfare of the student population.

At present the curriculum in the United States varies greatly from that in Europe; the extent to which both adequately prepare students to enter the workforce has not adequately been studied (Assenova, 2003). This study will attempt to fill the gap that currently exists in the research related to education. The researcher intends to identify what trends are currently evolving in education, and what practices educators must adopt globally in order to improve student outcomes in the future.

Literature Review

The intent of the literature review will be to compare the educational system in the U.S. with the educational system in Europe in order to identify current trends, as well as similarities and differences between the two. As part of the literature review the researcher will attempt to also explore whether one educational system is better than the other.

European vs. U.S. Education

Is the European educational system more effective than the American one? Assenova (2003) points out those European students generally score higher than their American peers on Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT), which are generally considered very difficult if English isn't your first language. Western Europeans have an advantage however over Eastern Europeans, however even among East European countries students are outperforming American students in mathematics and science courses (Assenova, 2003).

Curriculum Differences

Part of the reason may be European instruction is more vigorous; there are many curriculum differences that should be examined. Students in the United States generally have the option to take classes that are considered rigorous, such as calculus, chemistry and physics to complete high school, whereas European schools generally require at minimum three years of native language, math, foreign language, physics, chemistry and biology (Assenova, 2003).

The U.S. system is based on the notion that education should be more flexible, allowing for personal choice and directions, whereas the European system is considered more focused on academic rigor, which is "a consequence of the educational traditions of the Old Continent" (Assenova, 2003: 62).

Boys, Kosciolek, Spicuzza & Ysseldyke (2003) points out that during the third International Mathematics and Science Study students in the United States scored below "the international average in mathematics," with 20 countries scoring significantly higher than U.S. subjects (p. 163). They suggest that principles of learning can be adopted and utilized in the United States to improve student outcomes. The study does not compare U.S. liberal arts education with European education.

Trends in Education

Sarason (1998) proposes that the U.S. educational system has "all of the features of a non-learning system" (p.1). He clarifies by proposing that students are incapable of learning because the educational system as it stands at present is a system of parts that are uncoordinated, rather than a structured system where agreement exists with regard to schooling, goals an achievement. His examination suggests that the trends currently occurring with the United States are resulting in negative rather than positive outcomes for students.

Sarason (1998) suggests that a system is "a creation, a conception, intended to help us identify parts, flesh out their interaction and give us direction" (p. 1). His theories suggest that the U.S. educational system can benefit from creating a different vision. The vision that the U.S. adopts may be more similar to the European system, or different from the European version entirely depending largely on the goals of educators and the government with regard to education.

Among the trends noticed in the last decade with regard to the U.S. educational system include (1) regional disparities in educational resources, (2) technology will provide more productive time for schooling, (3) a growing mismatch will continue between the literacy skills that exist within the labor force and the "competency required by the jobs available" and (4) a mismatch between the skills workers possess today and the skills required for the jobs available (Cetron & Gayle, 1990: 33).