If you come to analyze the Education System of Canada and the United States of America, you will come across some interesting comparisons. There exist both similarities and differences between the education systems of both countries. Both the US and Canadian education system cover elementary secondary and post-secondary education. Elementary or primary education is the first stage of the academic learning.
Following this is the second stage of education known as the Secondary education. Instead of the popular General Certificate of Education that comprises of two levels, you get to witness the Secondary education, or more commonly known as the High School System, in Canada and US. Post-secondary education is the higher education that occurs at the universities or colleges. In both the countries you can experience equality in the value of education provide to the people, regardless of their location. The quality and choice of educational programs is not diminished by where the person lives. Moreover, both countries ensure an equality of access of the public information.
Universal schooling is provided in both the US and Canada. It means that difference in language, gender, race or mental or physical disability no longer restrains a person from receiving education. Equality of access has eradicated all such barriers. Free elementary and secondary schooling is provided in all the states or provinces of both the countries for 12 years.
This is to ensure that the citizens of Canada and US are not deprived of the basic education due to lack of financial resources. Students loans are also offered in both the countries to make sure everyone, even those who are not wealthy enough, receive higher education. Student loans are the US is quite similar to those offered in Canada. Like Stafford Loans and Pell Grants are made to students who do not have any financial support.
Enough of the similarities, now let’s shed some light on the differences between the education systems of the two neighboring countries. Education in Canada is governed by provincial and territorial government. They are responsible for running education system in their respective provinces an territories according to whatever they consider the most efficient and effective way. This results in slight differences between the education system in each province and territory of Canada.
For instance, the grades at which each level begins and ends vary with the province and territory. Another example could be of Quebec where free elementary and secondary education is provided for 11 years whereas in rest of the provinces and territories of the country it is for 12 years as mentioned earlier. On the other hand in the US education is governed by the federal government, under the US department of education.
As the education system of the entire country is monitored by a single authority, there is no difference between the education systems in all the states. In Canada age range for compulsory education is 6-16 years. Except for in Ontario and New Brunswick where education is compulsory from the age of 6 to 18 years. However, some provinces have exemptions at 14. In US age range for the compulsory education varies by state.
Beginning age varies between 5 to 8 years and ending age varies between 15 to 18 years. Moreover, in some states early leave is allowed with parental approval. In Canada a regimented system of certificate, diploma, degree, advanced degree, etc. is exercised. Whereas, in the USA you can call just about anything a degree as no organized system of degree, diploma, etc is practiced there.
However, it can be concluded that the education system of both the countries is not much different from one another.