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The first American colonial settlement was established in 1607 (Jamestown).
Education during this time period was not standardized; teachers were underqualified, underpaid, and overworked.
Most children learned to read as a religious duty, in order to better comprehend the Bible.
Students paid for their schooling in either food, supplies, or (on a rare occasion) money. Most schools were not free to attend.
Colonial Schools in America -
Ursuline Academy is the oldest continuously operating school for girls in the United States.
It was founded by the Ursuline Sisters, who followed the principles and examples set by their founder, St. Angela Merici.
Ursuline Academy- Video
History of Ursuline Academy -
These schools aimed to "save the man, kill the Indian." Children were taken from their native tribes and families and were forced to assimilate to white culture.
These institutions had poor access to food and medical attention. This led to outbreaks of disease, and many students perished.
Eventually, the US government ended up using the Navajo language as a code during WWII.
Boarding Schools
Code Talker- Joseph Bruchac -
A method of education formed by John Dewey, promoting learning by doing, rather than traditional lecturing. This method teaches fundamentals based on what the students are most interested in, rather than memorization.
Why?
John Dewey -
A SCOTUS decision that reaffirmed the idea of "separate but equal," ruling that racial segregation did not violate the US Constitution.
Although Plessy's complaint was against the transportation system, the precedent set by the case was applied to the education system as well. This idea further expanded the educational gap between students of color and white students.
Plessy v. Ferguson -
Prior to the Bolshevik revolution, an estimated 73% of the Russian population was illiterate. Vladimir Lenin and the communist government saw education as the nation's most important resource, and so introduced compulsory elementary education as well as options for illiterate adults.
This model impressed American educators, who followed this model.
Education in the USSR
History of USSR Education -
Movements had been at work for years, trying to protect children, but the economy made it difficult for large-scale reform.
In 1938, FDR signed national legislation preventing child labor and promoting schools.
Until that point, child labor had made up about 6% of the workforce. Kids worked dangerous, low-paying jobs to support their families.
Child Labor Laws- Video -
After WWII, the government began a program of paying for the higher education of veterans. Vets attended college tuition-free and received a stipend for living costs. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, nearly 49% of college admissions in 1947 were veterans.
The G.I. Bill is still in effect today, although multiple changes have been made by Congress and President Trump over the years.
The G.I. Bill -
Brown v. Board of Education was a unanimous SCOTUS ruling that determined racially segregated schools were unconstitutional, as they were a violation of the 14th amendment.
As with Plessy v. Ferguson- nearly 60 years prior- Brown v. Board of Education radically changed the civil rights movement and further spurred the ideal of equality.
Brown v. Board of Education -
The Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act was passed in order to offer educational opportunities and services to eligible students who would otherwise be unable to flourish in public schools.
IDEA -
Concerned that America's education system was no longer competitive on an international level, GW Bush signed legislation forcing schools to have standardized testing for their students and report those scores based on "subgroups." The goal was that schools would meet minimum levels of proficiency, allowing every student equal opportunity to learn.
Teachers are also required to be "highly qualified."
NCLB