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The Impact of Thomas Jefferson - http://faculty.washington.edu/joyann/EDLPS520Aut07/Jefferson_Rush_Webster_part1.pdf
MOST IMPORTANT
Thomas Jefferson was the revolutionary man who advocated for free public schooling accessible to all students, the rich and the poor. He pushed for this movement due to past experience of British Education that was more private based which allowed a disparity between rich and poor, which meant the rich stayed rich and the poor stayed poor. Jefferson's ideals were unheard and was important because it set the precedent for the public education that we enjoy today. -
The Common Schools
Although public schools were not accepted during Jefferson's life, in the 1830's, reformers began to argue in favor of a greater government role in the schooling of all children. In this time the public education system was born, and was completely revolutionary for its time. -
Horace Mann
Horace Mann is often referred as the Father of the Common School. He entered into the board of education in 837. Mann's great argument was, "Education...is the great equalizer of the conditions of men...". His big push was to make all public schools more appealing than private schools though upgrades to the buildings, better teachers and better curriculum than the private schools in order to create that equality. -
Population Growth and Immigration
Although, with some reluctance, the common schools were implemented, there began to be a great problem when thousands of catholic immigrants flooded the country. The schools were protestant dominated and the immigrants refused to attend schools where they were discriminated against. Thanks to them, there was a greater push to eliminate religious worship from public schools. -
The Progressive Reform Movement
The school's ideas and practices focused on making schools effective agencies of a a democratic society which meant the development of critical, socially engaged intelligence. -
The Impact of World War 2 on Education
The main impact WW2 had on education was how the purpose of schools shifted to creating industry ready workers to work in the factories that needed to produce weapons of war, or to prepare students to become soldier ready. -
Brown vs. Board of Education - https://www.nps.gov/brvb/index.htm
MOST IMPORTANT
Brown vs. Board was a Supreme Court decision that deemed the legality of segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision has been one of the most significant achievements in the revolution of social policies in the United States. It defined the constitution to be a legal document for all men, despite money, gender, or race. Thanks to this decision, millions of children receive an education who otherwise would not have had that opportunity. -
Sputnik and NDEA
When Russia managed to send the Sputnik satellite into space before the United States, the United States felt like they had to accelerate its science and mathematics classes in order to regain lost technological ground. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
This law was passed by president Lyndon and it made education a priority in the national war on poverty. It was a major push to gain equal access to a quality education for all children living within the country. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act
This act was the first act specifically made to serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities in public schools. This act's primary focus was to protect the rights of children with disabilities and to give parents a voice in their children's education. -
A Nation at Risk Report - https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/risk.html
MOST IMPORTANT
It was report put out by president Reagan that stated America was at risk due to mediocrity performance by students and teachers in literacy, science, and technology. To change that, Reagan implemented higher standard for graduation for example; more math and science courses as well as other more rigorous requirements. This had a huge impact on our education that continues today because the common core domineers the way we educate in our schools even now. -
The Standards Movement
Because of Reagan's report, there was a huge movement to incorporate standards all across the nation in order to make schools more accountable and to increase student performances. -
Growth of Standardized Testing
Standardized testing was put into effect in order to see if standards were improving academic success and also was used as a means to keep schools accountable. -
No Child Left Behind - http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html
MOST IMPORTANT
This act was signed into law by president George Bush which increased the federal role in holding schools accountable for the academic progress of students. It especially put a focus on ensuring all schools to boost performances in certain groups such as; ELL groups, students in special education and minority groups. States did not have to adapt the new requirements but lost federal funding if they didn't, which has put huge pressures on schools to perform adequately. -
Every Student Succeeds - https://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/every-student-succeeds-act/
MOST IMPORTANT
The main goal of this act, put into place by Obama, is meant to shift the power of education away from the federal government and back into state's hands by allowing them to pick their own goals and standards to follow. It was also enacted to try and ease the amount of standardized testing on students and schools. Although its effects are still not known, hopefully it will help create a balance of accountability yet not subordination.
