How Are K-12 Schools Different In Russia (Compared To The U.S.)?

The question on how are K-12 schools different in Russia (Compared to the U.S.) can best be answered by looking at how they are basically structured and identifying their most distinct features. The policies on education of both countries as well as the education system control mechanisms in place at local and federal levels must then be compared. Although the structures of the educational system of both the US are similar in many ways, there are a few peculiarities that distinguish one from the other.

The American Education System

In the United States, there is no such thing as a national school system because the service of providing education to the public is decentralized. The American Constitution grants the exclusive power to craft and implement education policies to each of the states in the union. No national laws are enacted for the purpose of establishing a prescribed curriculum, the recognition of various professions and degrees, the legal status of faculty members and students, or institutional governance. The functions of the U.S. Education Department do not include them.

Creation and administration of education policy starts at the state and spills down to local and institutional levels. This includes laws on school safety and health, formulation of curriculum guidelines, creation and development of public education policies for both primary and secondary levels, appointment of boards and agencies to oversee the administration of public education, and others. The respective state legislature and state boards of education are usually responsible for developing policies on education that are implemented by the states' education departments.

Although state boards of the different states may have a lot of similarities in terms of their functions, and are composed of prominent citizens of the state, they may be formed in various ways. In some states, they are appointed by the governor or the legislative branch. In other states, they are selected by the people through general elections.

State boards in most states are responsible only up to the secondary level, while in some states, the responsibility extends to all levels of education. They perform oversight functions on educational policies. The state board (or the governor) appoints the state superintendent, the highest-ranking education official in the state who manages the day to day activities of the education department.

The Russian Education System

Unlike the U.S., Russia has a centralized education system the direction of which is determined by a specific national policy. Compulsory curriculum guidelines for all public schools are established and implemented by the "Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Social Development." There are, however, some state-financed experiments that are being introduced such us bi-lingual schools that teach the students' native dialect. These initiatives are appreciated and allowed by the federal governors.

Although there are also government-initiated grants and programs such as those for talented and gifted students as well as those for differently-abled individuals, these efforts pale in comparison to those offered in the U.S. The Russian programs are also sometimes not properly disseminated because of lack of funding. U.S. government initiatives, in contrast are well-funded and popular in terms of information and availments.

Just like in the U.S., school choice is also provided in Russia although the initiative is less popularly known in the former Soviet republic. As opposed to the assignment by local school district on which schools children are placed based on residence, the educational reform on school choice gives parents the freedom for parents to enroll their kids in the school they prefer. Although Russian children are initially assigned the schools they should go to, they are now allowed to enroll elsewhere.

The education systems of both the U.S. and Russia were established based on tradition and historical background which explains some things that are unique in each of them. The systems evolve based on the current needs and conditions.