Education in the United States consists of separate stages of education – preschool, primary, secondary and higher education. It is controlled and funded at three levels: federal, state and local governments.

All US states have compulsory education laws for children from ages five to eight to ages sixteen to eighteen, depending on the state. The education program may vary among states and school districts, but all states are required by law to test public school students to ensure they are achieving the desired level of minimum education.