Page 43 - 416_

physical education as well as a variety of elective subjects.
About 85 percent of American students are enrolled in public
schools, which are supported by state and local taxes. The other 15
percent choose to attend private schools, for which their families pay
special tuition fees. Four out of five American private schools are run
by churches, synagogues or other religious groups.
In addition, schools have for many years received federal aid for
special purposes, such as vocational training and school lunches. In
1965 Congress approved a major program of federal support for
public schools, and federal aid was extended to private schools for the
first time.
After graduating from secondary school, a growing number of
Americans go on to higher education. The percentage of high school
graduates enrolling in public and private colleges, for instance, has
increased from 40.4 percent in 1960 to 54.8 percent in 2002.
American institutions of higher education include: technical training
schools, which offer programs in fields ranging from hairstyling to
computer programming; community colleges, which provide two
years of semiprofessional training for some students and the first two
years of college for others; colleges, offering four-year bachelor
degree programs; and universities, which contain one or more colleges
and graduate schools offering master's or doctoral degree programs.
The factors determining an institution's prestige are the quality of the
faculty; quality of research facilities; amount of funding available; and
the competence and number of applicants for admission.

5. Tell whether each of the following statements is true or
false according to the text. Correct the false statements to make
them true:

1. America's first college, Harvard, was founded in
Massachusetts in 1636; the second, William and Mary, was
established in California in 1693.
2. The most noteworthy feature about American education is the
national administration or structure.
3. Almost every elementary school curriculum includes English,
mathematics, science, social studies, penmanship, music, art
and physical education.
4. American institutions of higher education include: technical