U.S. EDUCATION > The U.S. Education System > Overview

Teaching faculty in U.S. public schools, and some private schools, are highly regulated and practice under the supervision of administrators, local boards, and parents' organizations. The historic tension between the requirements of professionalism as educators and the regulatory and political environment of the workplace have resulted in the majority of U.S. teachers being organized into teacher's unions.

Postsecondary faculty have more professional autonomy in respect to administrative regulations and prescribed curricula. Faculty at this level are generally free to conduct teaching and research without restraint or adherence to state guidelines. Even so, a number of U.S. postsecondary institutions have unionized faculties.

American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is a national postsecondary faculty association that serves as a union and also as an advocacy organization for issues such as academic freedom and tenure.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is a trade union representing educators at all levels as well as health care workers and public employees, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

National Education Association (NEA) is an independent organization representing educators at all levels, and is the largest U.S. teacher's union.

For information on subject-specific academic associations for teachers and higher education faculty, go to U.S. Institutions and Programs.

Student Organization

U.S. schools and postsecondary institutions offer a great variety of student activities, and students themselves organize and conduct a wide variety of activities on their own. These organizations range from academic interest clubs and sport and leisure clubs to professionally run services and businesses such as media outlets, housing facilities, and social service organizations.

School-age students (age 18 and below) are minors under U.S. law and thus their activities must be supervised by legally responsible adults (minors cannot sign contracts on their own, for example). Students at the postsecondary level have most or all of the legal rights of adults and their activities tend to be less dependent on faculty or administrative support.

Despite occasions of intense political and social activism, U.S. students have not tended to form established, powerful national organizations such as those in some other systems. Nearly all schools and postsecondary institutions recognize student organizations, and many governing boards have elected student members.

United States Student Association (USSA) is a organization representing student governments and other associations across all U.S. postsecondary campuses.

National Association of Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS) is an organization representing students enrolled in advanced degree programs in U.S. universities and professional schools.

College News Index of Campus Newspapers provides a directory of links to U.S. college and university student newspapers.

Adult Learners

U.S. education provides extensive opportunities for adults to obtain literacy skills, re-enter and graduate from secondary school, enroll in degree and non-degree programs in colleges and universities, and enroll in short education and training programs. Over one-half of all enrolled postsecondary students are older than the traditional undergraduate college age range (18-24). The changing nature of the modern economy and the pressures of family and financial responsibilities have required the education system to become more flexible in accommodating non-traditional students.

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) is a federally sponsored resource center providing information, data, and links to literacy organizations and activities across the United States.

ACE Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials (CALEC) provides information on the GED program, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and credit for military and other work experiences.

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) is an organization representing worker training providers and providing research and policy leadership on workforce preparation issues.

National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA) is the association representing the continuing education programs, degree and non-degree, operated by U.S. colleges and universities.

International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is an association representing institutionally affiliated and independent continuing professional education and training providers.

Intellectual Property

U.S. institutions, students, and faculty frequently produce research, instructional materials, and other products that require legal protection. Institutional policies vary as to the rights that students and researchers have to products developed using institutional resources, and this may also depend on individual contractual agreements. Most universities require that doctoral dissertations be copyrighted, and sometimes other research papers.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides information on U.S. intellectual property law and regulations and a searchable database of all patents and trademarks issued in the United States.

United States Copyright Office is the branch of the Library of Congress that administers copyright law in the United States.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Organized athletics are a significant activity on many U.S. campuses, and they are governed by an extensive array of regulations, policies, and customs. Athletics are not part of the regular curriculum at any level (physical education is) but are offered to provide a competitive sports outlet for students. In some institutions, athletics are viewed as major aspects of institutional development and fund-raising, and the management of athletics has become a major and separate part of institutional affairs. Competition for student-athletes is very intense and involves active recruitment, often outside the United States. Regulation of athletics is provided by state and federal laws, national associations representing specific sports, general associations, and oversight by institutional administrations and faculties. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the primary governing association for intercollegiate athletics. It establishes and enforces policies in areas ranging from financial responsibility to the admission and conduct of student-athletes.