A、School and Education. B、Individuals in the United States. C、Responsibilities as Citizens. D、Tomorrow’s Decision- makers. A谈话一开

Life in the twentieth century must demand preparations. Today, all individuals in a country must have adequate schooling to prepare them for their work as well as for their responsibilities as citizens. With this faith in mind, national leaders everywhere placing more emphasis on the education of the young.
    In the United States, government officials, parents, and teachers are working hard to give the children tomorrow’s decision - makers best preparation available.
    There is no national school policy in the United States. Each of the fifty states makes its own rules and regulations for its schools, but there are many similarities among the fifty school systems. Public schools in all states are supported by taxes paid by the citizens of the individual state. In most states the children are required to attend school until they reach the age of sixteen.
    When they become six years old, children begin elementary school. After six years in elementary, they go into junior high school and remain there for three years. The last three years of their public school education are spent in senior high school from which they graduate at the age of eighteen.
    A great number of high school graduates continue their education in one of the many colleges or universities in the country. After four years, they receive a bachelor’s degree. Some continue studying for a master’s degree and perhaps a doctor’s degree.