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Education in the Colonial Period
School was not provided by the government. Citizens of a town would pull together their own resources to build a school and pay a teacher. Schools were influenced by protestant churches and were very religious. The Bible was taught in schools. Only the most priviledged had the means to go to high school and college. By the time of the revolutionary war, most Americans had only enough education to read the newspaper and the bible and pay their taxes. -
Period: to
Colonial Period to Modern Day
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Impact of Horace Mann *MOST IMPORTANT
Horace Mann was the first Secretary of Education in Massachusetts. He believed in the equalizing capacity of education. He wanted to improve the conditions of schools and provide a quality education for an equal opportunity in life. He wanted to standardize all aspects of the common school and fund them by tax dollars. This was the first attempt to impose standards and equality in schools. First of many movements that would challenge the purpose and structure of education. His ideals of standardization are still seen today. -
Common Schools
The first type of public education offered in America. The common school movement began with Horace Mann in Massachusetts and spread from there. Common schools were schools provided to the public in which students of any class could go to recieve a quality education and an opportunity at life. These schools used standardized materials and texts and teachers were expected to be trained. -
Population Growth and Immigration in 19th Century *MOST IMPORTANT
In the early 19th century, an influx of immigrants and population growth caused people to question the protestant religious sentiments of public schools. The general public was very discriminatory/racist against Irish Catholics. Protests occured to give funding to the catholic church to open their own schools. Public schools were forced to correct discriminatory statements in texts/teaching. Opened up the debate on race and religion in public schools. This is an ongoing debate today, as schools attempt to become more inclusive. -
The Impact of John Dewey *MOST IMPORTANT
John Dewey, known as "the Father of Progressivism," was an American philosopher who attacked the rigid curriculum and dismal conditions of public schools. He believed that schools should focus on the Whole Child. His progressive techniques allowed children to learn by doing and explore the world outside of the classroom in work and nature. This child-centered education quickly spread. Schools improved to become hospitable places for children. Today, schools continue to focus on comprehensive well-being and strive for active, engaging curriculum. -
The Progressive Reform Movement
Before this movement, schools were dismal places. The standard method of teaching was to asses students through recitation. During the progressive movement, schools began to be more engaging and child-centered. They focused on the Whole Child and had hands on learning, recreational and sporting activities, and more modern facilities. Students were kept busy and involved in things that interested them. School was a rich experience where students would work, study, and play. -
The Impact of Jefferson, Rush, and Webster
Noah Webster wanted to eliminate British textbooks and create new books that taught a history that unified Americans as a new nation. He wrote the first American textbook, "The Blueback Speller." Jefferson believed that the survival of democracy depended on education. He wanted to guarantee 3 years of public education to men and women to teach the basics of democracy. Benjamin Rush sought for even greater improvements to women's education. -
The Impact of WW2
WW2 caused schools to became more patriotic. Suddenly, textbooks featured only American heroes and schools in 35 states became English-only schools. In a school in Chicago, students burned all of their german textbooks when the war ended. Christian traditions also became an integral part of the curriculum and even Jewish students were forced to participate. -
Brown vs. The Board of Education *MOST IMPORTANT
In 1950, public schools in 17 states were segregated by a “separate but equal” law. Still, better resources were available in white schools. Oliver Brown filed a lawsuit after his daughter was turned away at an all-white school. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Brown, saying that separate facilities are inherently unequal. Schools were forced to desegregate.This event propelled the Civil Rights Movement and greater equality in education, although struggles for equality continue today. -
The Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty
The War on Poverty was commisioned by President Lindon B Johnson. It aimed at helping disadvantaged students with federally funded programs, head start, and low cost college loans. He also signed The Civil Rights Act, which was a federal law that banned discrimination on the basis race or ethnicity in all federally funded programs, especially public schools. Schools would lose federal funds if they refused to desegregate and they would receive a significant increase in funds if they complied. -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act *MOST IMPORTANT
Before this act, individuals with disabilities were not allowed in schools. They were often segregated and isolated in public institutions. IDEA defined their right to have a free, appropriate education in a least-restrictive environment. It allowed for improved access, accountability, and achievement. In 2008, 95% of students with disabilities were educated in public schools. Many students that were thought to be uneducable are proving to be capable of high achievement and many are enrolled in college. -
A Nation at Risk Report
Commissioned by the Department of Education and President Ronald Reagan. The report claimed that the poor quality of schools was putting the nation at risk. Schools were blamed for the state of the economy. It called for a restoration of quality to education by increasing competition and accountability and enforcing higher standards in order to prepare citizens to compete in a global economy. The focus of education reform was shifted from equity to excellence, -
Growth of Standardized Testing
After the commision of A Nation at Risk and the beginning of the Standards Movement, public schools were required to become more accountable for improving their schools. The increased demand for accountability and measurable results led to a growing demand for standardized testing. Schools and teachers were held accountable for acheivement in standardized testing. In 1984, $500 million was spent nationwide in stadardized testing. -
School Choice Movement: Charter Schools, Vouchers
Public schools were seen as a monopoly. Reformers believed that letting people choose schools could increase competition and improve education. Any school that was failing would be shut down and reorganized. Some districts used a voucher system that would allow parents to pay for tuition at a private school of their choosing. Other alternative schools such as charter schools were created to increase competition in the district, causing public schools to improve in order to attract students. -
No Child Left Behind
Passed by congress in 2001 and signed into law by President Bush in 2002. This act was a revision of the Elementary and Seconday Education Act. It calls for standards-based education reform in order to improve overall academic achievement and create an accountability system for public schools. The law requires states to set standards which must be assesed by a standardized test in each grade level in order to recieve federal funding. Schools must show yearly progress though the test results.
