Question: do you study anything differnce in science in america than england?

Christine Switzer answered on 21 Jun 2011:

Hi berrylover22,

No, I don’t think the science that we study is all that different, but we have to study science for longer. I think you get more choice sooner. American students go to high school around the same time that English students are doing GCSEs and A-levels. Everyone has to take a full curriculum between 5 and 7 subjects each year. Each state is different with requirements. My state requires students to study science for 3 out of 4 years in high school and they are talking about requiring science all four years. Maths and English are required all four years as well as other subjects.

The assessment structure in the USA is different, too. States set standards and it is up to the teachers to achieve them. The teachers write their own exams — there are very few national or statewide examinations. There are a lot of differences between schools and teachers, so most universities require a separate examination as part of the admissions process. The two choices are SATs or ACT, though most universities prefer the SATs. These examinations cover maths and English only so the universities still have to rely on science marks from the high schools to decide if each student has done well enough for whatever course.

Cheers,
Christine