How American and British Education Systems Differ

Choosing the right school in Dubai is crucial for your child’s future! That’s why this article will take you on a journey that focuses on British curriculum schools and compares them to their American ones. 

In addition, it will highlight key features and exams to help you choose the perfect option for you and your child.

What Is the American Curriculum?

The American schooling system begins with kindergarten, where children are typically five years old. Children may sometimes start at 3 or 4 in programs called “early start” or “preschool.” 

These programs are available for specific children who meet certain criteria or in private schools for a tuition fee. However, school education only starts at the age of 5.

Misconceptions about the American Curriculum 

Contrary to popular belief, the term “American curriculum” is inaccurate. Although the United States has a Department of Education, it is not responsible for issuing a unified national curriculum for all schools. As a result, multiple curricula in the United States vary from state to state and sometimes even city to city within the same state.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative

Since 2014, the Common Core State Standards, which are a set of academic standards agreed upon to be adopted by all schools in the US, regardless of the textbooks or curriculum used, have been implemented. 

This led all American textbook publishers to update their curricula to align with these standards, resulting in a significant similarity among American textbooks. Therefore, any information suggesting that the American curriculum is “too easy” or “irrelevant” is outdated and based on individual experiences. 

In addition, there is constant competition among American curriculum publishers to produce high-quality textbooks and curricula that prepare students to achieve high grades in various final exams for high school graduation.

American Curriculum Exams

SAT Exam

One of the most important and well-known exams is the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).

This is a typical exam offered in the final year of American high school to qualify students for admission to universities in the US and other universities outside the US that require this exam. This exam primarily assesses students in English language reading and writing and their skills in various mathematical areas.

SAT in Arab Countries 

It’s worth mentioning that the SAT exam isn’t recognized in most Arab countries and isn’t considered equivalent to a high school diploma or graduation from school. Moreover, most universities in the Arab world do not accept it alone and require additional external examinations.  

In addition, the Ministries of Education and Higher Education require an equivalent exam for Arab high school certificates that assess students in many subjects, not just English and mathematics, as is the case with the SAT exam. 

The exam previously recognized in the Arab world was the SAT Subject Test, also known as SAT 2, another exam from The College Board, the body responsible for American exams. However, these exams were canceled and held for the last time in the summer of 2021, and they were substituted for ACT or AP exams afterward.

One of the main problems faced by students in American curriculum schools in the Arab world is that many of these schools don’t prepare students for external exams of the American curriculum. 

Therefore, preparation for these crucial exams falls on the parents, who are forced to enroll their children in costly private lessons, adding more financial burden due to enrolling their children in international schools. 

So, if you choose an American system school for your child, make sure that the school prepares students for these external exams.

AP Exam

The AP (Advanced Placement) exam is an American exam overseen by The College Board, which supervises and manages SAT exams. AP exams differ from SAT exams because their content is more comprehensive and requires more preparation. 

• They usually require fewer subjects to equate to this exam due to its difficulty, as the level of these exams is equivalent to the content of first-year university subjects.
  
  
• In addition, while 5 or 6 ACT subjects may be required to equate to the American high school diploma in the Arab world, only three AP subjects are necessary for a student’s certificate to be recognized as a high school graduation diploma.

Some high-level American curriculum schools seriously prepare students for these exams, and their students achieve high results that qualify them for entry into the best universities and sometimes even academic excellence scholarships. 

Therefore, if you are looking for a distinguished school for your child, ensure that this school prepares students for these outstanding exams.

ACT Exam

The ACT exam, issued by the American ACT organization, is used for admission to American universities and is recognized in many Arab countries. The ACT general exam differs from the SAT in that it assesses students in four main subjects: English language, reading, mathematics, and science. 

Most schools don’t directly prepare students for this exam, so few rely on this exam for their graduation from American high schools in the Arab world.

In addition to the ACT general test, the same board offers ACT subject tests in various subjects students can choose from.

IB Diploma Exam

The IB DP, or International Baccalaureate Diploma, is not an American exam but an exam affiliated with the international IB organization responsible for International Baccalaureate system schools. 

However, many American system schools inside and outside the US request that students take these exams; their preparations begin from the 11th grade. 

IBDP students sit for exams in 5 to 7 subjects, including science, humanities, and art. These exams are distinguished from others by a research aspect that depends on student achievement. This makes it more challenging, so they may not be suitable for everyone.

2.  What Distinguishes the American Educational System from Others?

The American educational system is similar in content to the British and other international English-language educational systems. The American educational system is characterized by a lot of flexibility in implementation, as there is a significant difference in the following aspects:

• The way curriculum is implemented.
• How are students assessed among different American curriculum schools? 

Consequently, this gives parents the flexibility and freedom to choose the best teaching and assessment style for their children’s personalities.

3. Is the American Curriculum Easier than the British Curriculum?

It’s impossible to generalize as there is a difference between the American curricula and how they are applied. There is a significant similarity between the American and British curricula regarding scientific content. 

The main difference lies in the assessment style and external examinations. 

Therefore, whether a curriculum is easier or harder depends on the school and how it implements and assesses the curriculum.

4.  What Is the British Curriculum?

The British curriculum is the school curriculum adopted in the United Kingdom and in many British curriculum schools outside Britain. British international schools adopt two primary curricula.

The National Curriculum of England

Which is the curriculum applied by public and private schools in England.

The school years in this curriculum start from 3 in the FS1 class (foundation stage 1), the early kindergarten or nursery stage. 

The age of starting school is one of the most significant differences between the British and American curricula, supporting each child’s and family’s needs separately.

The Cambridge Curriculum

The preferred curriculum by many British curriculum schools outside Britain, including British schools in Dubai and some private schools in Britain

Besides, the most significant difference between these two systems is the external assessment exams followed. 

The Assessment Exams for Each Curriculum 

• The National Curriculum of England:
• Cambridge curriculum: British students who follow this curriculum take different primary and middle school exams, such as Cambridge CEM and Cambridge Checkpoint exams. 

Like the SATs, these exams aim to assess and track student progress and achievement and do not affect graduation from school or university entry.

What Are the British External Exams?

These exams are the main difference between schools in the American system and the British education system. In British system schools, exams that qualify students for graduation from school and university entry begin at the end of Year 11 or Grade 10, with preparation starting the previous year, in Grade 9. 

These famous exams, which refer to the entire British curriculum, are the IGCSE international exams, equivalent to the British national GCSE exams. Issued by several examination bodies, the most prominent being Cambridge and Edexcel, there is little difference between these bodies’ exams, with a remarkable similarity in content and subjects offered.

However, there may be differences in the style of questions in some subjects, but even that is subject to change as these exams are modified annually. IGCSE exams are crucial as they sometimes constitute 70% of a student’s graduation grade and are an essential indicator of their final grades in the coming years.

It’s worth noting that the IGCSE exam alone does not qualify students for direct university entry in Arab countries and many other countries. However, it allows British students to enter British universities and colleges under certain conditions in a preparatory year. Therefore, ensuring that the student completes twelve years of schooling and that the graduation year is either Grade 12 or the equivalent of Year 13 is vital.

After completing IGCSE exams, students take A-level exams, which are presented in two parts, the first in Grade 11 under the AS level and the second in the final school year.  

In some cases, A-level exams are offered once at the end of the last school grade, and their results are the primary factor in university admissions.

What Are the Main Features of the British System?

One of the most essential features of the British education system is respecting individual differences among students in primary grades. 

Most British curriculum schools ensure that students are divided into groups according to their level and abilities in English and mathematics, aiming to provide better achievement and more significant benefits for the student. 

However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t implemented in all international British schools. Accordingly, you should get familiar with the approach chosen by the school you intend to enroll your child in before doing so.

Which Is Better, the British or American Curriculum?

I like to call this the million-dollar question, which has occupied much space and lengthy discussions among mothers in their various groups. 

In reality, there is no one correct answer to this question. While mothers wonder about the difference between the British and American curricula and which is better, the matter is subject to many variables and factors. It would be naive to give a predetermined answer without considering these variables, which include:

• The student’s personality and learning style.
• The educational and assessment approach followed by the school, regardless of the adopted curriculum.
• The student’s ability to handle the stress and effort of numerous exams.
• The family’s plans for the student’s university education (important for high school students only; if your child is in kindergarten, this is not a concern)
• The quality of education in the school and the competence of teachers regardless of the curriculum followed.

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