Comparisons to the US Education System

Class Size Comparisons

Another significant difference is class size. In general, American schools have a fixed class size. In the middle and high schools I taught and substituted for in Bowling Green, there was around 25 to 30 students in each class. However, the Irish school I was at had more varied class sizes that ranged from less than 10 to more than 20 students. For instance, I spent a day in a 3rd year geography class with 4 students and went to a history class the next hour with 21 students. 

Another comparison is the 1st year students did not change classes, the teachers did. Secondary schools in the US tend to have students transfer classes at the bell and allow teachers to stay in their classroom throughout the day. A teacher may see six or seven classes in their room with different students. However, at Scoil Muire agus Padraig, many teachers who taught younger years moved classes when the bell rang while the students stayed in the same room. This meant that some teachers did not have a classroom or that they only saw their classroom twice or three times. 

Time Comparisons

Another interesting comparison between US and Irish schools is starting times. They were very few schools in the surrounding areas that began earlier than 9:00. The school I taught at in Swinford began at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 3:50 in the afternoon. Schools in the US all have varying times with some starting as early as 7:00 in the morning to 9:00 in the morning. Some states like Kentucky try to start secondary school earlier than primary for busing purposes and after school activities. However, in Ireland, primary and secondary schools all begin around the same time at 9:00. 

Additionally, most classes in the US last about 55 minutes to an hour and 20 depending on if the school implements block scheduling. In Ireland, many of the classes are shorter and there are more of them. For example, in Swinford, the students attended nine classes in one day, but they were only 40 minutes. The students also had a fifteen minute break after their first three classes and had a 45 minute lunch. Many lunch times in the US last 20 to 25 minutes. Older students were also allowed to leave the premises for lunch and would come back before their next class. Many students in the US are not allowed to leave school for lunch.

Security Comparisons

In general, security measures in Irish schools are not as extensive as those in US schools. While US schools often have full-time School Resource Officers (SROs) and strict lockdown procedures in place, this is less common in Irish schools. Most Irish schools have limited security measures, such as locking classroom doors during school hours and having sign-in procedures for visitors. For example, the school I was at in Swinford had a sliding glass door and anyone could walk in. While the school did not have strict sign-in procedures, it had a level of secuirty put in place. For example, I noticed there were security cameras at entryways and around the school in the hallways. One of the main reasons for decreased security is the lower incidence of gun violence and school shootings in Ireland compared to the US. While school shootings are a rare occurrence in Ireland, they unfortunately occur with alarming frequency in the states. This has led to increased security measures and a focus on preparedness in US schools.

Another difference is drills. Students in Ireland have never done a lockdown drill, nor have they done earthquake or tornado drills. Since the weather in Ireland is different, they do not have to practice severe weather drills like student's do in the US. However, it is important to note that the students do practice firedrills just like students in the States!

Classroom Management Comparisons

It's important to note that classroom management strategies can differ from teacher to teacher, regardless of their location. However, based on some of my general observations in Ireland, there are some differences between the classroom management strategies of teachers in Ireland and America. American teachers tend to use more assertive disciplinary actions when dealing with misbehaving students. They may threaten to involve parents and send students to the principal's office for disciplinary action. This approach is often seen as more firm and strict compared to the strategies used by Irish teachers.

In contrast, Irish teachers typically do not involve parents when dealing with disciplinary issues, and there is a process that they must follow to report misbehaving students. Irish teachers may also seem more lenient than their American counterparts, as they tend to give multiple warnings to the same students before taking any further action. It's critical to note that both approaches have benefits and drawbacks. For instance, while the American approach may be more effective in immediately addressing disruptive behavior, it can lead to students feeling alienated or unfairly punished. On the other hand, the Irish approach may promote a more supportive and inclusive learning environment, but may not always address disciplinary issues in a timely manner. 

Technology Comparisons

Generally speaking, American schools tend to be more advanced in terms of technology usage compared to Irish schools. I believe this is contributed to larger budgets that many American schools have to invest in technology, as well as the emphasis on technology in American education policies. In American schools, it is common for students to have access to personal devices such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones, which they can use to access educational materials and collaborate with classmates. Many US schools also use interactive smartboards, which allow teachers to display and manipulate multimedia content during lessons. Alternatively, Irish schools tend to rely more on traditional classroom materials such as textbooks and projectors. Students typically do not have access to personal devices, and technology is not as heavily integrated into the curriculum as it is in American schools.