pbee

I have the opportunity to relocate to California (Silicon Valley) this year. One of the main things holding us back is our childrens schooling.

Oldest son in year 1, youngest due to start reception in September.

The school they attend is very well respected and has good reports, although my sons class is boy heavy with 23 boys to 7 girls and there is a number of boys with "issues" that our politically correct society and undermined teachers cannot deal with effectively. We are considering moving schools anyway.

does anyone have expereince with the US education system, how it differs to ours, what would be the impact of being in school in the US for a number of years and then coming back to a secondary school in the UK prior to sitting exams.

by issues, there is one child who physically assaults the teachers,support and other children, and is largely uncontrolable he is punished, by having stickers as rewards when he behaves and does as the teacher asks. The other children (including my son) have an area they have to go to whilst the teacher chases the child round, the boy last week shut the teachers head in a door, he is 6. Apparently the school is unable to do anything as the parents do not agree there is a problem. This child (and reward program) has now blossomed 4 other boys who were under control to also act out, as you can imagine this is a disaster, there is also a boy with epilipsy, adhd and tyrets (sp) who is triggered by these goings on.

anyway back on track, American schools, good or bad ?.

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

Try another perspective:

America, good or bad?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

I looked at relocating to North Carolina (Dental School) for a job back in 1996....I just could not make enough money to get a decent education for any children so I gave it a miss !!

This was a long time ago so things might have changed !!

Shaun

pbee

so do you pay for all schools in america ?. it just depends how money you spend to how good they are.

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

Even the American Schools here are more expensive than the other Intl Schools, and tend to be a bit lacking.

Nonetheless, it does not seem like they are that bad!

Chris.B

iTrader: (4)

Bad! California especially, the amount of gun violence there...

I'd give it a miss TBH

pbee

there is more chance of a fatal stabbing in the UK than there is of being shot in california

boxst

Where are you relocating to? I'm currently in Pleasanton (East Bay) and have worked in Redwood City (Silicon Valley). It does depend on the area that you live as to the quality of the schools (like everywhere). I'm only visiting, but I can certainly ask around if you give me the area.

Generally, America has more violent crime and some parts of Silicon Valley (East Palo Alto) contribute significantly to those figures ...

Steve

boxst

Where did you get those statistics from? I would definitely argue those if you include LA, San Diego and Oakland.

Steve

pbee

mountain view/santa clara

Freak

According to my mrs (who is american born and educated) schools on the whole are very good over there....although she is from the east coast not CA.
It is uni that is v v expensive though, and the best colleges are serious $$$$, so ship them back to the uk for a degree when they hit 18

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

Not to mention the kids will turn out with stooopid American accents which will be the biggest hindrence to their future as everyone will hate them by proxy

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

LOL

I think their public schooling is as good/bad as ours, after all, the Tories based THEIR model on the American system, even to the introduction of UK "years" that exactly corresponded to the American grades, despite a different starting age. Left us with a "Year 0"
We also imported the idea of SAT's from there.
This all goes back to the UK's 1988 education act.

As in the UK, the school is very dependent on the area: inner city= difficult school.
Leafy sburb in the midwest = probably a good school.