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The 20th Century Begins
By the turn of the 20th Century, 75% of teachers were women. Teachers felt like the most "insignificant cogs in a huge machine." African American school systems relied on hand-me down textbooks and African American teachers were paid significantly less.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyeRZnmcYGc -
Transportation
By the year 1919, all states had laws providing funds for transporting students to and from school. In 1988, there was a court case between Kadrmas and the Dickinson Public schools to determine if it was okay for a school district to charge a user fee for bus riders. The court deemed it permissible. In 1987, New York was the only state to mandate the use of two-point seat belts on school buses. -
John Dewey
John Dewey was one of the most influential educational philosopher the 20th century. He challenged the rigidity that characterized many American classrooms. By the 1920s he had become the standard-bearer for Progressive Education. He argued that democracy must prevail in the classroom. -
Forming of Unions and their decline
By 1916 many local unions had come together to form the AFT. In the 1940s, the AFT began collective bargaining with local school boards. This caused many people to become scared and horrified of what education was becoming. Once the 1930's hit, the number of unions declined. They had achieved what they needed in the 1920's so there wasn't really any need for them. -
Political Effects
During the 1940's, there was a much larger influence of political and economic issues. This diverted most teachers' attention from the classroom and the students. Among African-American educators, there were many obstacles. -
Brown v. Board and Desegregation
The Brown v. Board case was brought forward by parents in Topeka, Kansas. They argued that segregated schools were inherently unequal. The Supreme Court agreed and stated that all schools must desegregate.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Pe3BTa1O8 -
Little Rock 9
Federal troops enforce integration in Little Rock, Arkansas as the Little Rock 9 enroll at Central High School.
Website:
http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_little_rock_school_desegregation_1957/ -
Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Case
The Swann family, an African-American family, of Charlotte, NC suede the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County school board when their children were not allowed to attend the cities white school. This case allowed the Supreme Court the chance to further clarify what was decided in the Brown v. Board case 16 years before. -
The Refugee Act of 1980
The Refugee Act of 1980 was a build onto the Immigration Act of 1965. The Refugee Act reformed immigration laws to admit refugees for humanitarian reasons. The results in the resettlement of more than three-million refugees in the United States took place and included many children who brought special needs and issues to the classrooms. -
A New Time
Although a lot has changed over the years, teachers still feel like they are not appreciated by society. Pay for teachers is still low and there are still small cases of segregation whether by race, sex, income etc. Teachers are worried about things they might do wrong and are constantly thinking about ways to improve their students education.
