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1483-1546
Martin Luther first translates the New Testament in 1522 and then later the entire bible from Latin into German encouraging universal education. He emphasizes the necessity of schools to teach chidren to read in their own language. -
1632-1704
John Locke emphasized the idea that children were like blank slates or tabula rasa. Like Comenius, Locke believed children's early experiences shapes who they grow to to be, therefor learning should begin early. Locke's Some Thoughts Concerning Education expressed the view that children are shaped by their parents and teachers. -
1592-1670
John Cormenius published Orbis Sensualium Pictus, considered the first picture book for children in 1658. Cormenius believed in sensory education and that education should occur on a graduated scale. He was an early advocate of early childhood education as he believed early experiences shaped the adult they would grow to be. -
1712-1778
Jean-Jacques Rousseau regarded reason as the goal of education. He emphasized the idea that children naturally through a process of "unfolding" and maturation. In conjunction with this unfolding process he believed in natural ways of raising and educating children. He appreciated the countryside as a more desirable environment of education over the "unnatural" environment of the city, as he illustrates in his book, Emile. -
1746-1827
Johann Pestalozzi was a Romantic who believed in a balance of mind, body and heart. In 1801 he wrote the book "How Gertrude Teaches Her Children" which emphasized mother as the first teacher and advocated engaging students in sensory experiences, rather than conventional memorization and reading alone. -
1782-1852
Johann Pestalozzi is resposible for establishing the kindergarden, a school for four and five year olds now found world-wide. He viewed children as growing plants, therefore influencing today's view of the teacher as a gardener. He planned a systematic curriculum for education, developing a system of "gifts" and "occupations" that promoted learning through play. -
1771-1858
Robert Owen opened the first nursery school in 1816 for children ages eighteen months to ten years old. Owen correlated education to an improved society much as we do today. He emphasized environment as a determining factor in children's behaviors. Following his emphasis on early childhood education the first Nursery School in London was opened in 1818. -
1859-1952
Part of the Progressive educational movement Dewey adovates education lead by children's interest and necessary life skills. He believed in learning by doing, therefore imaginging the teacher as a the organizer and guide. -
1870-1952
Maria Montessori advocates a prepared environment in which children are encouraged to explore and learn thru their senses. She encourages a sense of respect and esteem for children and trust them to find their own order. -
1896-1934
Lev Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction in learning and education. His theories emphasize the need for a competent teacher in order to further a child's learning. -
1896-1980
Jean Piaget was a psychologist whose Cognitive Development Theory held that through experiences children develop intelligence. He held that children learn according to cognitive stages -
1908-1970
An American psychologist described human needs as a hierachy. He believed humans needed first basic needs to be meet before self actualization or self-fufillment. He regarded life essentials as nutrition, safety and security, belonging and love, achievement and importance, and finally the need for beauty or aesthetic needs. He really emphasizes the basic needs before cognitive learning can occur. -
1925-current
Albert Bandura is probably most famous for his Bobo Doll experiments in which he showed that children learned behavior by observing actions of models. His Social Learning Theory realized that models are sources through which children learn and immulate behavior and could use this in changing behavior in an education setting. -
The soviet launch of Sputnik, the first satelite, sparks the race for "world superiority". Influences the emphasis on math, science, and technology still regarded today in education.
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National Defense Education Act (NDEA) allocates federal funding for science, technology, engineering, and math in addition to foreign language education. The NDEA is in response to the launch of Spunik the previous year in hopes to keep the U.S. a competitive superpower. This is accepted by many to be the start of federal standards in education.
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The Civel Rights Act of 1964 outlaws descrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin. This act also includes laws that protect rights of individuals in pubic education and other public places.
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The Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) is part of an effort to eliminate poverty by providing opportunities for low socio-economic classes. Part of the EOA supports the beginnings of Head Start programs in 1965.
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The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) primarily is enacted to more fully fund primary and secondary education. This act was Lyndon B. Johnson's effort to close the education gap between urban or rural students and suburban students. Title I of the act specifically aims to provide more academic and educational support to low-income families. An estimated 60 percent of 17 million children benefiting from Title I are in kindergarden through fifth grade.
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The Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (EAHC) required every state recieveing federal funds to create fair and appropriate educational experiences for students with disabilities. The act also requires schools to set-up a system to review any disputes the parents of students with disabilities may have about their chidren's education.
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The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1990 was the EAHC reauthorized and renamed. This act strives to focus on the individual child's needs with universal design, response to instruction, and differentiated instruction. This act has been amended and reauthorized several times over and exemplifies our country's ongoing efforts to provide fair and quality education to all students.
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The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a reauthorization of ESEA of 1965 and moves to develop standardized testing in schools. Each state creates goals that must be met to recieve federal funding. Currently states are able to request waivers from NCLB requirements.
