About aspects of the U.S. Educational System

As a curious foreigner, it has been interesting to learn about the ideas, movements and history that have shaped the Education in this country. For instance, in the States it is relatively easy, compared to other parts of the world, to get into college. This idea is supported by the general conception that everybody, regardless of their personal history, should be given the opportunities –and tools-- to succeed. Based in the previous concept, and knowing that not everybody has the same gifts; different curricula have been designed in order to take advantage of the different contributions that a diverse group of students can make. Hence, not all students have to be very proficient if Math and/or Science. Some students not interested in Math and/or Science can follow a more general curriculum emphasizing arts, Social Sciences, History, etc.

This idea of having different curricula for students is a significant difference between the U.S. Educational System and the Educational System in my home country, the Dominican Republic. In the D.R., all throughout elementary, middle and high school, we have a relatively fix set of courses that every student has to take and pass. The Dominican Ed. System, I think, has the advantage of creating an individual with a well rounded set of knowledge. Ranging from World History and Geography, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra and Sociology, all the way up to Psychology and Philosophy; a very well-rounded student, able to talk and understand the implications of an interconnected world, will be formed. The lack of a very well-rounded curriculum for everybody, mainly in subjects like World Geography and/or History, is one of the reasons why many inhabitants of the European continent, after which the Dominican Ed. System was conceived, think that the US people lack an understanding vision of global affairs. This idea can be reinforced after talking with High School graduates.

On the other hand, what if some students don't have the skills to triumph academically in every possible subject of knowledge? Could somebody be a good musician without knowing about the icy mountaintop of the Kilimanjaro? Even more importantly, can --or should-- a Society sacrifice those individuals that could make important contributions to a particular field just because they are ignorant in others? I think that the U.S. Educational System has been designed with a pragmatic mind; so that people could effectively ask not what [their] country can do for [them]; but instead, what [they] can do for [their] country.