When do you have to begin school?
Spain: School attendance is mandatory at age 6, however there are optional schools from ages 0 to 3 and optional free schools from ages 3 to 5.
United States: School attendance is mandatory at age 6, however there are optional schools from o to 4 and optional free schools at age 5 (kindergarten).
How are the schools divided?
Spain: Grades 1 to 6 are in one school and 7 to 12 are in another.
United States: Normally the grades are divided into three schools: kindergarten to 5th grade, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.
When can a student drop out?
Spain: At age 16
United States: At age 16
Who provides the books?
Spain: In most cases, the students buy the books and they can cost more than 200€ ($250) per year per student
United States: The schools provide
Can parents visit?
Spain: It is very difficult for parents to get to the classroom. Parents drop their children off at the gate and the students (even the kindergarteners) walk to the classroom alone. Usually if you ask for an appointment with the teacher it will be in a conference room. Parents usually do not even volunteer in the classrooms.
United States: Parents are welcome to visit and volunteer in the classrooms. More than once a year there is an opportunity to visit in the classroom.
The last two yearsSpain: The last two years of school are optional and are not guaranteed. Acceptance to the last two years are based on your grades and in some instances based on attendance and behavior.
United States: Although you may not graduate, all students are allowed to attend school through the 12th grade. You will receive either a diploma or certificate of attendance.
Who is responsible for remediation?
Spain: If a student fails a class, it is his responsibility to get remediation - either through a private tutor center, help of friends, or just studying. All classes must be passed and thus if the fail the class they can retake the exam at the end of the year or again in September. The students may move on to the next grade, but to be admitted to the last two years of school they must have passed all classes from the last four years.
United States: If a student fails, there is summer school and the teacher helps with remediation. Most school systems have a standardized testing program. If the scores for a teacher or school are low, the teacher and school are held accountable. In fact, some systems even award pay differences based on test scores.
High school options?
Spain: You may choose a tract - such as science, literature, vocation - but within that tract there is no flexibility or choices.
United States: You may choose from a wide variety of classes and you will have students with different work goals in all your classes. For example, you can take an accounting class, an art class, and a physical education class all at once.
Grades?
Spain: Scale of 1 (low) to 10 (perfect). Passing is a 5 and acceptable is a 5.
United States: Scale of A (perfect) to F(failing), skipping the E. Passing is a D and acceptable is a C. Although you need much higher grades for college.
Who changes classes in highschool?
Spain: Teachers
United States: Students
What is the purpose of the teacher?
Spain: What you know. Most exams are giving back a ton of facts. Exams are based almost solely on memorization and very little writing.
United States: What you think. Most exams are based on processing information and putting in a new form. In high school it isn't unusual to even have a written composition on a math exam.
What happens when you finish?
Spain: You take your final exams and wait on your scores.
United States: A big graduation ceremony, gifts, and often parties.
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