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Education in the Colonial Period
Parents sent their children to Dame schools where they were taught basic skills and religion. Only the rich upper class could obtain higher education. -
The Impact of Webster & Jefferson (https://www.dailysignal.com/2013/04/14/18th-century-advice-thomas-jefferson-on-education-reform/))
Noah Webster’s "Blue-Backed Speller" was revolutionary in helping students learn to spell. It laid the foundation for our modern day dictionary and is still in print today. Jefferson believed that education would shape democracy and the future of America so he helped provide 3 years of free education for everyone to help them gain foundational knowledge. This idea is still impacting education today because we now have free, gov. supported education for all students in America. -
Common Schools
Schools that were locally funded which provided basic education (reading, writing, and arithmetic) and included moral lessons and religion mixed into their textbooks. -
The Impact of Horace Mann
The 1st secretary of education, he standardized much of what we recognize in our schools today (such as chairs with back support, blackboards, and standardized textbooks). He believed Common Schools gave students an "equal chance at life." His vision of what schools could be is significant because it lead to much of how education looks today. https://study.com/academy/lesson/horace-mann-education-reform-contributions-philosophy-quiz.html -
Committee of Ten
A group of educators who came up with the idea to standardize the curriculum in American high schools. -
The Impact of John Dewey (Most Important)
The "Father of Progressive Education," Dewey helped change the way information was taught in schools from the strict, delivery of information to helping the students experience what they were learning in new, involved ways. He wanted students to care about what they were learning. This significant outlook on education is still applicable today in how we as teachers strive to deliver information in ways that will engage our students. https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/john.html -
Population Growth and Immigration in the 19th century
The massive amounts of immigrants flocking to America during the 19th century and the growth in the number of students in need of an education lead to an increase of schools throughout the U.S. and eventually to many changes in how they were run. -
The Progressive Reform Movement
People believed that the issues of society could be solved by a good, strong education. The government wanted to use schools as a place for changing the future through its students. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Ended the segregation of public schools and helped all students obtain an "equal" education. This event marked a big step towards the civil rights movement and the doing away with the "separate but equal" way of thinking. It is still significant today because of how education is now available to anyone regardless of race, nationality, religion, etc. It changed the way people of the world looked at each other. (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka) -
The Civil Rights Movement & The War on Poverty
The Civil Rights movement worked to establish equal rights for all. The War on Poverty occurred during President Johnson's administration as he worked towards closing the gap of poverty through movements such as Social Security, the Food Stamp Act, and the Elementary Education Act. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson's act passed during the "War on Poverty" which helped provide students with the provisions they needed to survive and gain an education. It funded elementary and secondary schools and helped everyone have an equal chance to attend school. -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
All children with disabilities could obtain an education and receive the accommodations needed to be successful in school. Helped them receive more fair treatment, a better quality of life, and provided them with the chance at being employed and living independently. Today anyone is able to go to school or college. It's changed the way we see students with disabilities. https://www.washington.edu/doit/what-individuals-disabilities-education-act -
A Nation at Risk Report
"President Ronald Reagan's National Commission on Excellence in Education." Noted the need for change in the school system and how we can improve them and produce smarter, more capable students. -
School Choice Movement: Charter Schools, Vouchers
Schools began allowing students to choose a "school within the school," something they were interested in. Choice increased their interest. Parents were also allowed to choose which school they wanted their children to attend. -
The Standards Movement
Set standards of what students should know and be able to accomplish. Raised the expectations of schools to give students more rigorous tests, homework, and help them truly succeed. -
No Child Left Behind
Works to see that all children perform well in school and have an equal opportunity to higher education. Helps those who are at a disadvantage be successful. Significant because it evens the playing field a bit by accommodating the students in need of more assistance and guidance in their education. Today every student is cared for and their potential to succeed is emphasized. https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html
