Russia/U.S. Curriculum Translation

Education System

School Year: September – June | Compulsory Education: Grade 11 | Graduation: Grade 11

Russia/U.S. Grading Scale

Transition Supports

Education Practice:

Secondary schools in Russia vary from state-run public schools to lyceums, gymnasiums and schools for the gifted, which are specialized schools that provide a specific focus in areas such as the humanities, sciences, or arts. The curriculum in state-run schools is set by the federal government and changes little to none from school to school, whereas the curriculum provided in other settings may vary. 

The curriculum framework above and the information that follows represents state-run schools, however there is a large equity gap even among these schools due to the governmental policy of providing the most support to the best-performing schools. So, while the curriculum may be standard, the quality of the instruction provided varies widely. 

The method of teaching in Russia relies heavily on teacher-centered classrooms, with theoretical knowledge valued over practical skills. As a result students often learn by rote memorization over hands-on experiences and do not tend to develop practical skills. 

The Crimean war of 2014 and the Ukrainian war of 2022 have led to Russian takeover of the schools in occupied areas, with Russian directives suppressing the teaching of native and regional languages, as well as English.

Secondary school in Russia completes at grade 11, which would be the equivalent to grade 12 in the United States.

U.S. Educator Implications:

The Ukrainian war of 2022 has led to interrupted formal education for some students in Russia, especially in Ukrainian border areas. Male students, in particular those close to the age of military conscription, may have interrupted education in their final years of secondary school, as families send them out of the country to avoid military service. 

Gymnasiums, Lyceums, and Gifted schools in Russia are considered high-quality, and students coming from those schools may have coursework that begins earlier than the above framework, the equivalent of acceleration in the U.S. 

Due to the completion of compulsory education in Russia at grade 11 (age 17), students enrolling in US schools may be younger than their grade-level peers.

There is widespread fraud in Russia in regards to the secondary leaving exams, or EGE’s, with bribes, plagiarism, and cheating common. It may need to be stressed to families the implications of such actions on exams in the U.S., especially if a student is suspected of cheating.

Strategies for Transition

• Get to know your students by building positive relationships.
• Provide multicultural education where texts, values, beliefs, and perspectives represent people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Allow a reasonable amount of transition time.
• Avoid discussing the war in Ukraine. The war is a sensitive subject, with people being staunchly for or against the continued conflict. 
• It is considered rude in Russia to ask someone where the restroom is, particularly if that person is of the opposite sex. Students may be given a map of the school and have restrooms pointed on their first day to avoid this uncomfortable encounter. 
• If teachers shake their students hands at the door, be careful not to shake hands through the threshold, as this is considered bad luck.
• Social smiling in Russia is very uncommon. Smiling to strangers or others you don’t know as a friendly gesture is almost non-existent. Be careful not to mistake a stony expression for displeasure or unhappiness, however. Most Russians are warm and inviting once you get to know them, with hugs and back-slapping common. 
• Keep praise and reward for students private, especially initially. Praise may be initially viewed with suspicion. 
• Extra-curricular activities don’t exist in Russian schools, outside of state-mandated projects. Explaining extracurriculars and encouraging involvement may be a good way to help students adjust socially to their new environment.
• Russian students do not have a choice in their curriculum. It may be worthwhile during registration to spend extra time with students to get to know their interests and future goals and help them choose their courses accordingly. 

Resources

Science and math curriculum- grades 8 and 9 –https://timssandpirls.bc.edu/timss2015/encyclopedia/countries/russian-federation/the-science-curriculum-in-primary-and-lower-secondary-grades/

High school science curriculum: https://www.jackhassard.org/countries/russia.html

Secondary math curriculum-https://www.emis.de/data/projects/reference-levels/EMS_RUSSIA.pdf

Russian Curriculum charts: https://norric.org/wp-content/uploads/Ruslandsrapport-feb2005.pdf