He knew I was interested in civil engineering. He used to tell me about the courses, and for whatever reason, the words "black base," "aggregate base," and "asphalt" are ingrained in my memory.
Ironically, financial hardship brought him closer to American people. He was sitting in a park, pondering his problems, when a random guy invited him to play football (soccer). They hit it off, and the man hired him to work at his Italian restaurant. They became good friends All I remember is he traveled to California to buy tomatoes for the restaurant.
But I also heard for the first time how some Americans harbored negative sentiments towards people they didn't know. He was the first to tell me about incidents where people wrote 'Camel go home' on Middle Eastern-owned houses.
At the time, I believed him, but I also dismissed it. Now, living in the U.S., I think it may have been possible, especially in the 1970s, particularly after the OPEC oil embargo. I also now realize that Oklahoma’s education system isn’t particularly renowned. Actually, I should rephrase that. It's renowned, but in a negative way.
In 2024 general elections Oklahoma voted unanimously red:
Not a surprise, in 50 states:
44th in education
49th in healthcare
44th in quality of life
50th in test scores.
In comparison Massachusetts voted unanimously blue
1st in education
2nd in healthcare
1st in quality of life
1st in test scores.
Perhaps education counts for something.
An 'eight' is a type of racing boat that seats nine people. Eight rowers face backward and row the boat. The ninth person, coxswain, sits facing forward and uses a rudder to steer the boat. Coxswain also synchronize the rowers by shouting or whistling commands. There was a race between Japanese and American rowing teams. The Americans came in second, losing by a fraction of a second. After careful analysis, they decided to experiment with a new strategy: seven rowers and two coxswains. This didn’t improve their performance, so they tried another approach: six rowers and three coxswains. However, they continued to lose. Eventually, they reached a point where all nine people were coxswains and none were rowing.
That's Oklahoma for you. The secretary of education of Oklahoma has decided to buy 60,000 of Trump bibles(2), and have students listen to him every morning praying for Trump(3). This should fix the education issues in Oklahoma. They also have purchased 500 bibles for AP(4) government classrooms.
What is AP?
Before explaining that, I should explain how I was admitted to the college in Iran. in 1984 nearly three million people applied to college in Iran, I was one of them. We spent five years in elementary school, followed by three years in middle school. Then, we had four years of high school. The school system had a unified curriculum, and specific topics were taught throughout the school year, spanning fall, winter, and spring.
To advance to the next grade, we had to pass two trimester exams, and final exams. In high school, the first and second trimesters had a multiplier of one, while the third trimester had a multiplier of two. The tests were graded on a scale of 0 to 20. A passing score was 10. The third-trimester test score couldn’t be lower than 10, and the weighted average of the three trimesters had to be at least 10.
If the weighted average of the three trimesters was less than 10 or the third-trimester test score was less than 10, the student had to study in summer and take a final exam to be promoted to the next grade. Otherwise, they had to repeat the entire grade.
Most teachers designed their tests in a way that anyone who fully understood the material could achieve a score of 17. Scores above 17 were typically reserved for students who excelled beyond the standard curriculum. Throughout my 12 years of schooling, I never failed a test. My average score was usually around 14-15 before high school. However, in high school, I consistently earned scores between 19 and 20 in math, science and literature. Even my grades in Arabic and Islamic History were above 17.
At the end of the 12th grade, students had to apply to college. There were several main groups, including Math and Science, Medical, Art, and Literature. For example, I applied to the Math and Science group, which was a prerequisite for engineering schools. I could have also applied to specific fields like Applied Math or Physics. However, I couldn’t apply directly to medical school within this group. If I wanted to pursue medicine, I would have had to apply to a different group, which would have precluded me from applying to engineering schools.
There was a nationwide exam day for all three million applicants to take tests within their chosen groups. The tests covered a range of subjects, including IQ, literature, a chosen foreign language (usually English or French), algebra, trigonometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, and, of course, Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Once the test results were announced, I had to choose schools and fields of study. My test scores allowed me to apply to any program I wanted. I selected 12 universities offering civil engineering programs and submitted my applications. Then, I had to take a two-day technical exam. Since I applied to engineering, the exam covered advanced math, physics, and engineering drafting and analysis. This exam was administered nationwide on the same days for all engineering applicants.
The rest is history!
In most states in the U.S., children are seemingly protected before birth, even if they are the result of unwanted pregnancies or rape. However, once they are born, mothers often have little choice but to return to work quickly, as maternity leave policies are typically limited to four months or less. This leaves many young children in need of childcare, regardless of their parents’ employment status.
In contrast, Canada offers 52 weeks of parental leave, including 15 weeks specifically for the mother. The remaining leave can be shared between the parents, though it’s often taken primarily by the mother. Even adoptive parents are entitled to 37 weeks of parental leave. Many families with financial means hire nannies or au pairs. The future looks bleak, as immigrants are no longer welcome and new policies are very hostile towards them. Au pairs, specifically, are usually on a special temporary visa.
At the age of 5, kids start junior kindergarten. At the age of 6, they move on to senior kindergarten. And at the age of 7, they enter first grade. At this age official elementary school starts.
Unlike most developed countries, in the US, people can choose to homeschool their children due to personal or religious beliefs. Unfortunately, these homeschooled children may not develop the necessary social skills, even if their parents are professional educators.
Grades one through four have no standardized tests or letter grades. Grade five may have some assessments and grades, but the primary focus is on passing or failing. Almost all students will advance to middle school, unless they have significant developmental issues.
It’s important to note that this is a typical public school system. Private schools may have their own unique systems. With the upcoming changes in government and the potential dissolution of the Department of Education, many states are expected to experiment with new education models.
One particularly grating aspect of the public school system is that all children within a certain age range are placed in the same classroom, regardless of their physical or mental development or challenges. Additionally, there's no gender segregation in public schools.
Children are consistently assessed by educators in grades one and two. Some students may be identified as gifted and talented and offered placement in a GATE program at the beginning of third grade. These students must maintain their academic performance to remain in the program year after year.
GATE students attend the same classes as their peers, often unbeknownst to their classmates. Their teachers are aware of their advanced abilities and provide them with additional or accelerated work to keep them engaged.
Middle school is similar to elementary school, but with two key differences. First, students take tests and receive grades. Second, the trimester system allows students to choose different subjects of study. For example, if a student completes all middle school math requirements, they can begin high school-level math courses. This flexibility applies to other subjects as well. While there are mandatory courses in art, literature, physical education, science, and math, students have some freedom to choose their focus areas.
Some students complete all the first-year high school science and math courses by the end of their third year of middle school.
In addition to standard programs, schools offer extracurricular programs for high-achieving students. GATE students may participate in regional competitions in fourth and fifth grade. In middle school, they can compete in science and math Olympiads, as well as in history and other regional and national competitions.
While public schools are generally free, except for supplies and donations, extracurricular programs may have minimal fees. Volunteering with these programs can be a rewarding experience for parents. I coached science Olympiad teams for two years, and it was a blast. Top 3 students will compete in regional competition, Top three regional with compete at state level, and top 3 of state will compete nationally.
Elementary schools typically have fewer than 300 students. Middle schools often combine multiple elementary schools and have around 1,200 students. Three or four middle schools may feed into a single high school with 3,500 or more students.
When we moved, we chose our home based on the school ratings. All three levels—elementary, middle, and high school—were rated 10 out of 10 and had national recognition. The high school, in particular, was one of the top-ranked in the U.S.
We don't regret the extra cost, as our daughter earned numerous advanced placements and scholarships, although she ultimately chose to attend UC Berkeley, the top public university in the U.S.
The first year of high school can be a significant shock, especially at top-tier schools. While middle schools prepare GATE students for this transition, many students still find themselves studying late into the night and on weekends.
Age segregation no longer exists. Students must take a series of courses, quarter after quarter, to fulfill graduation requirements. However, GATE students often accelerate through standard courses and move on to advanced or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses are designed by the College Board(6) and are equivalent to college-level courses.
Many colleges, including UC Berkeley, accept AP credits under certain conditions. Students must earn a grade of 5 (A in AP is 5 rather than 4) on the school's AP exam and a score of 4 (A 91to 100%) on the independent College Board AP exam taken during the summer. Alternatively, students can take the same course at an approved community college.
Like middle school, high schools offer a variety of science clubs that compete at regional and national levels. Students who have been involved in competitive sports in middle school can continue their athletic pursuits on the high school team. Our daughter chose to participate in distance running,4x100 relay, and cross-country. She eventually became the captain of the cross-country team. Balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities like karate, piano, and guitar lessons, and frequent travel for competitions, she often worked over 80 hours a week. Of course, many students, even at top schools, prioritize social activities and simply aim to graduate high school or drop out.
In 11th grade, students take the PSAT, a practice test that assesses their abilities in various subjects, including literature and math. The PSAT provides a national benchmark and helps students gauge their readiness for the SAT. While the SAT is no longer mandatory, most students still choose to take it to strengthen their college applications.
While most students have a lot to accomplish during their senior year of high school, top students often have fewer academic requirements, except for American Civics, as they typically turn 18 during this year.
Many colleges actively recruit top students, as do the military branches, particularly the Air Force and Marines. Academic information can be shared with colleges, which then begin sending recruitment materials and applications. Essentially, it's a competition to attract the best students.
There are three main types of colleges: community colleges, public state universities, and private universities. Community colleges offer relatively low-cost courses. Many students attend community college for a year or two to complete general education requirements before transferring to a four-year institution. This can significantly reduce overall college costs, saving tens of thousands of dollars compared to starting at a four-year university.
Public universities like the University of California (UC) system, the California State University (CSU) system, and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) system are world-class institutions, often ranking among the top 50 globally. UC Berkeley (Cal) and UCLA are particularly renowned and compete for top national rankings. Globally, UC Berkeley is ranked fourth.
For first-year students, the UC system requires most students to live in university dorms. Tuition for in-state students is around $20,000 per year, but with housing and meals, costs can exceed $40,000, not including books and other expenses. For out-of-state students, tuition can range from $45,000 to $65,000, plus additional costs for housing and other expenses. Private schools are often comparable in cost to out-of-state public universities
There are three main types of colleges: Students are free to live where ever they want after first year, and often dorms are not available. Cost of living close to the top universities skyrocket.
Cost becomes a major factor in selecting a college. In November or December, before the end of the senior year, some schools may send admission invitations with attractive offers, such as free tuition or scholarships. Meanwhile, students are applying to colleges of their choice in their desired fields of study. Contrary to my earlier belief, gaining admission to an engineering program isn't overly difficult, but getting accepted into programs like Applied or Pure Mathematics or Physics is highly competitive. Students also have the option to apply as "undeclared," meaning they can choose their major later, often by the end of their sophomore year. This is almost like a carte blanche.
Just before high school graduation, students will receive acceptance letters from various colleges. Often, they’ll be accepted to multiple schools and will need to make a choice. Many colleges host campus visits to give prospective students a firsthand look at the campus.
By the time they graduate from high school, students will have already committed to a college. College graduation is a celebration of hard work and a final opportunity for classmates to be together before embarking on the next chapter of their lives as adults.
In our case the decision was easy, there was no choice. Dad wanted to be in university of Tehran, mom wanted to be in Sharif University, and the kid wanted to be in UC Berkeley. I feel I got the short end of the stick.
(c) I personally took these photos and videos and own the rights to them. Please feel free to use them as you wish.
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City
(2) https://bjconline.org/oklahomas-regulations-trump-endorsed-bible-for-public-schools-101524/
(3) https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/oklahoma-superintendent-prays-for-trump-in-video-hes-requiring-for-students/2024/11
(4) https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2024/11/14/ryan-walters-says-more-than-500-bibles-were-purchased-for-oklahoma-schools/76310395007/
(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Placement
(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Board
I see that raising a child made you an expert in the education system :-)
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