Student Services
Weekly Update
My Educational Tour to Cuba
November 18th I started my journey to Cuba to explore their educational system and make comparisons with ours in the United States. When we arrived we were met by a minister of education, who gave us a rundown of their educational system before we visited the different schools. One standard feature I observed was the uniform and color for the different grade levels worn all over Cuba. For example, I noticed the elementary school students wearing white and red, the secondary school students who are 7-9th-grade wear white and yellow, and the pre-university students wear dark and light blue colors. These were the standard colors of uniforms worn by all students in the country.
The educational structure was developed after the revolution in 1959, before that, many people did not have access to the education system, but in 1961 there was a literacy campaign to educate 23.6% of the 6 million people in Cuba who could not read or write. People called the Brigadistas were the literacy teachers and they were sent around the country to teach others how to read and write. After the campaign, many people were able to read and write. However, many of the Brigadistas were killed during the literacy campaign. As a result, many schools were named after these literacy martyrs killed for educating people. After the literacy campaign, Cuba turned its focus and reached out to the rest of the world to educate countries to name a few, Haiti, Equador, Peru, and some African countries. People from these countries who were educated in Cuba, returned back to their homeland to teach their people.
In addition, after 1959 Cuba developed its own educational system and created age-appropriate levels: The first level is from birth to 5 years old or kindergarten level and there are two ways this age can receive knowledge: one, they could attend institutions or daycare centers or be educated at home by their parents called “Educate your son”, and with the support of the government. The second education level is the primary school from ages 6 to 10 or 11 years, at this level, there are so the two cycles 1st - 4th-grade students are taught by the same teacher for the entire time. This teacher is responsible for the students’ education and family needs. They teach all subjects and are in constant communication with the parents of the 25 students in their class. These teachers are very knowledgeable of all aspects of their students' lives because they have had them for 4 years. During the second cycle, which is from grades 5 and 6, these teachers hand over the entire information and knowledge about their students and their families to the next grade level teacher. Such information includes test results, strengths, weaknesses, behavior, family and every relevant information about their students. At all grade levels, there is always intensive support from the government for students and their families. It was interesting to note that in every school when there is a transition, the one teacher is solely responsible for all his 25+ students, and the next teacher receives a comprehensive report about each student and their family
Elementary Students at Jose Marti in their white and red uniform.
High School Students at Escuela Secundaria Basica - Ramon Mathieu Gonzalez in their white and yellow uniform
Pre- University Students
Cuban School System- continued
Special Needs Students: There are schools designed for special needs students, for example, a school specifically for autistic students are provided tailored support and services needed for each student. If students in these specialized schools show progress, they are then allowed to the mainstream into regular school. Besides, families of special needs students receive extra support at home with their students. These parents are trained on how to take care of their children, so when their students return home from their specialized school, they know how to take care of them.
Their secondary schools are similar to ours in the US with the offering of different subjects and electives. It was emphasized that education in Cuba is mandatory until a student reaches the 9th grade. After 9th students have the option to attend either a technical trade school, an apprenticeship program or continue in pre-university and finally the university. Upon graduation from technical schools, they can either continue at a university or start working in their trade of study. If they are interested in studying at a university, they have to attend a pre-university school which will help them prepare for an entrance exam. If they pass the entrance exam, they are automatically accepted into the university program to continue their studies. It was interesting to know that education up to postgraduate level, student uniform, books were entirely free for students. However, after visiting the different schools and institutions, I am appreciative of the fact that education is free in Cuba but I am equally grateful for what we have in the United States.
Policlinico Docente Comunitario Carlos Verdugo Martinez - A Medical School
A Secondary School in Cuba
Teachers at Escuela Secundaria Basica - Ruben Bravo
Library Media Specialist Meet at San Vincente
On Monday, December 2nd, the Library Media Specialist met to discuss the following topics: The book fair, its pros and cons, new books received for the library and their students' responses to them, their need for support during book fairs, especially with handling money from the sales of books, the need for a wireless scanner and a desk risers. They talked about books in a series and finding ways those series are made easily accessible to all students. Annette Aguilar the district media specialist shared ways on how to motivate reluctant readers, which was also shared in a powerpoint. The meeting ended on a very positive note with all good wishes for a media specialist going on maternity leave.
Contact Us
Director of Student Services and Accountability
Email: aehrlich@soledad.k12.ca.us
Website: http://soledadusd.org
Location: Soledad Unified School District, 1261 Metz Road, Soledad, CA, USA
Phone: 831-678-3987