A Comparison of Mexico and US Educational Systems

A Comparison of Mexico and US
Educational Systems
Isabel Quiñónez, Presenter
iquinone@bcoe.org
1-707-526-1272 ext. 22
Mexican school system
•  is divided in the following
levels: Preschool,
Elementary, Junior High,
High School/Jr. College,
and Universities.
US school system
•  is divided in the following
levels: Elementary,
Middle or Jr. High, High
School, Jr. College,
Vocational, and
Universities.
Mandatory Preschool
“Jardín de los Niños” normal class size is 20-25 students and is
required for all children from ages 3-5. Students upon
completion receive a graduation document which is required
before entering primary school. Their third year of preschool is
equivalent to our kindergarten.
Elementary School: Tipo David Berlanga
Historical Landmark in downtown Morelia
First thru Sixth grades
All elementary schools observed
were 1st -6th grade. Most city
schools had a.m. and p.m. school
schedules. The a.m. school was
from 8-12 p.m., and the afternoon
school day was from 2-6 p.m.
Morning and afternoon school day
had separate principals. Some
teachers taught both morning and
afternoon.
Recess/Brunch
 Students eat “brunch” at this
time which they bring from home
or purchase on site
 No designated eating areas
 Recess is unsupervised –
students are to resolve issues as
they arise
Junior High
La Secundaria
• Secundarias in Mexico are for students in
grades 7th through 9th grades.
• They are arranged as first year of
secundaria, second year of secundaria
and third year of secundaria.
Telesecundarias
for rural communities
• Telesecundarias can be found in rural areas through out Mexico.
• Telesecundarias are equivalent to the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades as
in Junior Highs in the US.
• Every hour the students are given 15 minute televised lessons then are
given 45 minutes to complete assignments in their national text book with
support of a teacher or para professional.
The view from the “telesecundaria”
CONALEP: Trade school (10th-12th)
Trades at this particular CONALEP:
•  Tourism and hotel management
•  Culinary Arts
•  Accounting
•  Auto body Mechanics
High School/Jr. College
Preparatoria o media superior
• High School is not mandatory
in Mexico. Most preparatorias
are found only in urban areas
which makes education costly
to those from rural areas.
• Approximately only 6% of the
students that are of high
school age attend a
Preparatoria.
• Students enrolled in
preparatorias can either
receive a vocational certificate,
or get a diploma (Bachillerato)
• Preparatorias are arranged in the following manner:
to then move on to a four year
1st year of prepa, 2nd year of prepa & 3rd year of
University to receive a degree.
prepa.
“AHA”
Equipped band room &
school band
Mexico’s Classroom Technology
• SMART Boards were observed
throughout the schools
• Interactive classroom support
Mexico School Library
Due to the limited supply of books
students/teachers use them only on site
Curriculum
First through 6th grades
*México:
• Spanish
• Math
• Technology
• Natural Sciences
• History
• Geography
• Civics
• Arts
• Physical Education
*Estados Unidos
• English Language Arts/ ELD
• Math
• Natural Sciences (4th-6th)
• History/Geography (4th-6th)
• Electives (6th in a Middle Sch)
• Physical Education (at times)
*Mexico has a national text while the US has state standards.
Curriculum
“Jr. High/Middle School
C
O
R
E
E
L
E
C
México
United States
Spanish Language Arts
Math
Universal History
Geography
Civics
Biology
Introduction to physics and chemistry
Foreign Language
English Lang. Arts/ELD
Math
History
Science
Physical Education
Art
Physical Education
Technology
*Elective classes to choose from:
Technology
Culinary Arts
AVID
Foreign Languages
Art
Etc.
Grading practices:
United States:
•  Letter system: A, B, C, D, F
•  “A” being the best grade
•  “D” passing poorly
•  “F” failed course/subject
México:
•  Number system: 10 to 5
•  “10” being the best grade
•  “6” passing poorly
•  “5” failed course/subject
Types of schools:
United States:
•  Public Schools
•  Charter Schools
•  Private Schools
•  Home schooling
México:
•  Public schools
•  Private schools
Educational Structures:
MEXICO
•  National Secretary of
Education
•  State Secretary of Education
•  Deparment Heads by level:
preschool, elementary, jr.
high, trade schools, and high
school (Jefe de departamento)
•  Municipal Superintendents
(Jefe de Sector)
•  Superintendents-Supervisores
•  Principals
•  Teachers
•  Parents
•  Students
ESTADOS UNIDOS
•  US Secretary of Education
•  State Secretary of
Education
•  County Superintendents
•  School District
Superintendents
•  School Principals
•  Teachers
•  Students, Parents
Mexico’s Educational Data:
•  6.5% of the general fund in Mexico is earmarked
for education
•  24,153,000 students enrolled in Preschool
through 9th grade.*
•  27 million national texts are disseminated
annually throughout the country
•  1,547,000 certificated Mexican teachers
* Mexico’s educational grade level requirements
are preschool thru ninth grades
Bi-national student
Ricardo Martinez, 12 years old
Findings from interview:
 Mexican born
 Moved to Los Angeles, California for
three years
 Younger brother born in U.S.
 His biggest challenge was language
 His expectations of the U.S. was to
experience freedom and it’s beautiful
landscape
 Actual experience was the opposite – he
missed his liberty and freedom from
Mexico
 What he misses from U.S. schools is not
having to wear a uniform
 Parents plan to move back to U.S. for
him to finish high school
Local Mexican Consulates offer:
•  Transfer documents
-for US students traveling to Mexico for
extended periods of time
•  Curricular Alignment Guides
-offers high school curriculum taught
by grade level in both English and
Spanish (to grant appropriate credits)
Cultural Traditions on Both Sides of the Border
Morelia students
Healdsburg High students
Questions or comments…
¡GRACIAS!
Isabel Quiñónez
iquinone@bcoe.org