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Child education in the United States is compulsory. Many people are not even aware of this fact. It is also the case in many countries in the developed world. Elementary schools are learning institutions where children receive the first stage of this compulsory education. Elementary education in the U.S. is a right of every child.

In the U.S., education is regulated by individual states. However, the federal government through the Department Of Education exercises indirect authority through funding of block grants and national programs. The U.S. government can also propose educational goals, standards and objectives. A case in point is the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) concept.

Elementary education in the U.S. is mainly provided by the Governed and even funded the public sector. The system is divided into two that is, public schools and private elementary schools. The latter are approved and certified by state education committees.

The rules and regulations governing elementary education differ from one state to another. Some states allow parents to take their children through home-based elementary school programs. In some cases, they may even get funding. Early education in the U.S. is categorized into three distinct areas. These include high school, middle school and elementary school. Intermediate schools or junior high schools refer to middle schools. These schools are also referred to as secondary schools or simply high schools. College system (and later universities) starts when the high school period is over.

The elementary school system in the U.S. has gone experienced tremendous changes. The system is the main point of delivery for basic primary education. In 1960s, the difference between secondary and primary education became smaller and the intermediate schools were slowly being replaced by the middle school. In many states, there was a reassignment of 9th grade to the high school level; with 6th grade being classified to middle school level together with 7th and 8th grades. The coming years saw fundamental changes in many states that included the realignment of teachers’ certification. 6th grade was included in the secondary school teacher’s curriculum.

Thus, whereas 20th-century U.S education began with the elementary school finishing at grade 8, the 21st century begins with the American elementary school system mostly finishing at grade 5 in many jurisdictions. Some states are still stuck with the old system that involves taking kids from the kindergarten level to 8th grade.

The curriculum of elementary schools depends on the state or district. There are separate education committees that are tasked with this purpose. Students are only taught basic subject at the elementary level. Children usually remain in the same classroom even as teachers change. Elementary schools offer basic levels of physical education and exercise where students can move out from the comfort of their classrooms and play.

Arts and music are also emphasized at this level of education. Elementary schools cover all basic aspects of learning. This stage of learning is very important. It acts as the molding phase of a child’s life. While college determines the career path of a person, how a child performs in high school and ultimately at the University depends on elementary education.