Figure 1.-- While difficult to judge on the basis of our brief visits, most prep school children are probably a couple years ahead of their countrparts in state schools. Here the children are pondering a question posed by the master.
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Figure 1.-- While difficult to judge on the basis of our brief visits, most prep school children are probably a couple years ahead of their countrparts in state schools. Here the children are pondering a question posed by the master. |
While difficult to judge on the basis of our brief visits, most prep school children are probably a couple years ahead of their countrparts in state schools. Many prep school children graduating at age 13 have completed a substantial part of their "O" level curriculum taken by 16-17 year old British secondary school leavers. (Only about half of English state school students remained in school after age 16 during the 1960s. The Conservative Government in power decided to end universal benefits for 16-17 year olds in 1988. Either as a result of this change, or the recession, the number leaving school after 16 dropped sharply. Nearly 75 percent of teenagers in 1994, for example, decided to continue in school after 16.) One prep school headmaster told us that his leavers at age 13 complete about half of the "O" level course in physics, chemistry, and biology. We rememmber a story carried widely in the British press about a group of 8 year olds at a prep school who were startled to learn that they could answer many of the questions on a test and students at a comprehensive (state secondary) school could not.
While difficult to judge on the basis of our brief visits, most prep school children are probably a couple years ahead of their countrparts in state schools. Many prep school children graduating at age 13 have completed a substantial part of their "O" level curriculum taken by 16-17 year old British secondary school leavers. One prep school headmaster told us that his leavers at age 13 complete about half of the "O" level course in physics, chemistry, and biology.
Only about half of English state school students remained in school after age 16 during the 1960s. The Conservative Government in power decided to end universal benefits for 16-17 year olds in 1988. Either as a result of this change, or the recession, the number leaving school after 16 dropped sharply. Nearly 75 percent of teenagers in 1994, for example, decided to continue in school after 16.)
We rememmber a story carried widely in the British press about a group of 8 year olds at a prep school who were startled to learn that they could answer many of the questions on a test and students at a comprehensive (state secondary) school could not.
There are a variety of reasons that the prep schools are successful. The home environment the children come from and a high level of individual attention are very important factors. These are factors that can not be duplicated in the state system. Another factor, however, is a stress on the basics--especially reading. Also appropriate discipline and orderly classrooms are important. These are matters which could be maintained in the state system. The children are expected to read and time is set aside in the school program during most schools for the children to read. Those children who have difficulties are identified early and give the appropriate assistance they need.
