MARIBEL B.

MALAGUEÑO SEMINAR IN MATH EDUCATION

COMPARATIVE CURRICULUM OF ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND

The education system in the UK

In Great Britain, England, Wales and Northern Ireland follow the National Curriculum, with some
variations. Scotland, on the other hand, has its own curriculum. In the UK, children generally start
formal education at the age of four, earlier than in the US. Students take exams at key stages in their
education. Then the two-year program starting at the age of 14 ends with the GCSE (General
Certificate of Secondary Education - O-Levels or ordinary levels until 1988), and the next two-year
program starting at the age of 16 is crowned with the English “Baccalaureate”—secondary school
diploma exams, i.e., A-Level exams. (Advanced Level). Overall, it can be said that the system leads
students towards increasing specialization.

GCSE

The GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is the main school-leaving certificate in
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland has an independent national qualifications system).
It’s generally highly valued by higher education institutions and employers. In recent years, the UK
government has introduced a GCSE reform program, including a grading system that uses numbers
(1-9) instead of letters (A-G). GCSEs are available in approximately 50 subjects and are usually
preceded by full-time five-semester courses. GCSE exams are taken in May/June when students are in
Grade 11 (Year 11) and their results are published in August.

IGCSE

The International GCSE (IGCSE) is an internationally recognized exam at the same level as the GCSE.
It aims to adopt a broader approach to learning. According to the University of Cambridge
International Examinations (CIE) board, which is the main governing body of IGCSE for independent
schools in the UK, the exam "encourages an inquiry-based approach to learning and develops the
skills of creative thinking, analysis, and problem-solving, giving students excellent preparation for the
next stage of their education ”. Schools may offer any combination of subjects for which each student
receives a separate certificate. There are over 70 subjects, including over 30 language courses, offering
a variety of options for students with a wide range of abilities, including those whose first language is
not English.

A-Levels

The A-Level diploma was introduced in Great Britain in 1951, and its idea is to educate the best
candidates for leading universities. The A-Levels are taken between the ages of 16 and 18 and are
much more difficult than the GCSEs. They can’t be taken without having passed GCSEs in similar
subjects. If you want to go to university, you have to take both exams.

The education system in the US

In the US system, less emphasis is placed on examinations and students study general subjects until
the end of high school, which is Grade 12, the UK equivalent of Year 13. In the United States, most
children attend preschool part-time, but state-provided education does not start until Kindergarten
(Year 1 in the UK). In the early years, children are gradually introduced to learning, with a strong
emphasis on socialization as well as developing basic language and math skills. It’s generally accepted
that from kindergarten through Grade 3. children acquire basic knowledge that is then applied and
developed more rigorously in Grade 4. The US system is typically divided into three levels:
  Basic: Elementary school (K - Grade 5),

 Middle school (Grades 6-8)

 High school (Grades 9–12).

The curriculum in the United States is usually quite extensive, and students are expected to study
many subjects—such as English, math, science, foreign languages, history, art, music, and physical
education—all the way to Grade 12. Students are assessed at the end of each grade when they move on
to the next, but the exams are not nationally standardized and have traditionally had relatively little
influence on their progression to the next grade. They can, however, help to determine at what level a
student can choose a course in the next grade—more or less advanced. However, there are no exams
in the US comparable to GCSE or A-Levels.

In the United States, math and science are taught sequentially rather than simultaneously. A student
in Grade 9 can study physics in one year, followed by a year of chemistry in Grade 10. Likewise,
students progress from algebra to geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and so on. At the end of high
school, US students apply for college education based on a number of elements: their grades in all
four years of high school averaged as GPA (Grade Point Average), results from various exams,
teachers’ opinions, and personal achievements and extracurricular/volunteer activities.

SAT and ACT

Colleges in the United States, however, often expect more information about prospective students
than what the GPA and high school diploma can offer. Therefore, many students choose to take the
SAT (also known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (the American College Test), both of
which are nationally recognized tests taken at the end of high school. "Almost all highly-rated US
universities require applicants to submit results from one of the US admission tests—SAT or ACT,"
says Jon Tabbert, head of recruiting at consulting firm Dukes Education and Jon Tabbert Associates.
"A good test score is critical to a successful application." ACT is another standardized test for high
school students wishing to study at universities or colleges in the US. Like the SAT, it assesses the
general academic aptitude of high school students and the ability to study at the college level. The
tests are multiple-choice and cover four areas: English, math, reading, and science. They also include
an optional written test that measures the student's short essay skills. International students can take
the ACT and SAT from outside the US to gain access to American universities and colleges.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) is another teaching and assessment program designed to help US higher
education institutions assess students for admission. It’s developed and administered by the College
Board, the organization responsible for SAT testing. AP is specifically designed to be closely related to
the first year of the student’s study in the US, so students typically take the program to demonstrate
an interest in a field or subject they hope to pursue at the college level. According to the Fulbright
Commission, AP is more rigorous and in-depth than standard high school courses offered in US
schools and compares favourably with A-Levels and International Baccalaureate (IB), both of which
are considered the highest standard of qualification for university admission. While AP is not
necessary to enter an American university, students can demonstrate commitment to the field they
hope to study by taking AP courses. And especially for the most competitive universities, successfully
completing these courses may give them better chances for admission.

Grades in both systems

It’s worth looking at both systems—British and American—and see at what age students attend
different levels of education, i.e., particular grades, to understand what’s being referred to when
someone says "Year 4" or "Grade 11":
Difference between the education system in Philippines and Singapore
The education systems in the Philippines and Singapore have some notable differences. Here are a
few key points:
1. Curriculum: In the Philippines, the education system follows a 10-year basic education program (6
years in elementary and 4 years in high school) with a focus on a broad range of subjects. In contrast,
Singapore has a 4-year primary education program, followed by a 4-year secondary education
program, which then leads to either a 2-year junior college or a 3-year polytechnic program.
Singapore places a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
subjects.
2. Languages of Instruction: The Philippines uses English as the primary medium of instruction in
schools, along with Filipino (the national language) and local languages. In Singapore, English is also
widely used as the medium of instruction, but students are required to study a second language,
which is usually Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil.
3. Quality and Standards: Singapore has consistently ranked among the top countries in international
education assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), while
the Philippines faces challenges in achieving similar levels of educational quality and standards.
Singapore's education system is highly regarded globally for its competitiveness and effectiveness.
4. Education expenditure: Singapore allocates a significant portion of its national budget to education,
investing in state-of-the-art facilities and resources. The Philippines, on the other hand, often faces
issues of limited government funding, which can result in inadequate infrastructure and resource
allocation.
5. Teacher Training: In Singapore, teachers undergo rigorous training and development programs
and are highly respected professionals. The Philippines also places importance on teacher training;
however, the quality and consistency of training across the country can vary.
6. Education Reforms: Singapore has implemented several education reforms to continuously
improve its system, such as the shift towards more student-centered and inquiry-based learning
approaches. The Philippines has also introduced reforms over the years but faces challenges in
implementation and limited resources.