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Education in the Colonial Period
Education was a luxury during this time period; as towns felt that education was important, they would gather up all of their money (or resources such as cattle and food) in order to hire a teacher. The idea behind education was to teach students just enough to read the newspaper and the Bible, in addition to performing their taxes. -
Common Schools
Common schools emerged from the push for a free, public education system which would benefit the men of the states. The concept also incorporated a steady Puritan curriculum that would be taught throughout each school. -
Horace Mann
MOST IMPORTANT....Appointed as the first secretary of education, Horace Mann was an extreme advocate of public schools. As he traveled to each school, he committed to making them better by providing funding, regulating instruction, and making it free to all who wished to attend.
Horace Mann helped bring about the importance of education by making it accessible to all. Link text -
Committee of Ten
A committee formed by the National Education Association to organize the educational system. After meeting, the committee recommended a 12-year educational plan which would be simultaneous in subjects and content throughout the United States. -
Population Growth and Immigration in the 19th Century
MOST IMPORTANT...As thousands of immigrants made their way to the United States, students and teachers faced much difficulty. These students were forced to conform to what was being taught - including religion, language, and text.
By understanding this growth, we can understand who makes up our population, where they came from, and how they may learn best. Link text -
Impact on John Dewey
John Dewey, a philosopher, integrated the concept of activity in the classroom. He believed that learning sprouted relevance, and students would understand and develop as they applied principles into their lives. -
Secondary School Movement
A movement of higher education that began in 1910. This movement spread rapidly throughout the United States, creating approximately one new school per day. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
MOST IMPORTANT...Brown vs. Board of Education is a court case, ruled by the Supreme Court, that ended the segregation in schools. After this case was decided, many areas across the United States rebelled. However, after several years, this law helped unify those across the states.
This court case effects the way I teach and more importantly who I teach to - it promotes diversity and equality throughout the states. Link text -
Sputnik and NDEA
The launch of the rocket, Sputnik, by the Soviets changed the outlook of education in America. Fearing our children were falling behind, a push for math and science became the center of education through the National Defense Education Act. -
Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA)
Part of the "War on Poverty" act by President Johnson, ESEA aimed to shorten the gap of achievement between schools. By providing more funding for teacher development, material and support systems, the goal of this act was to enhance the performance of all schools, especially those with poverty-ridden students. -
A Nation At Risk
MOST IMPORTANT...A report written under President Reagan which established that the education system in the United States was failing. The report recommended many ideas for success including raising standards, providing a minimal credit system to graduate, and extending the days.
After the report was established, it stirred up society, invoking many questions, and placing blame upon the educational system. This ideal still exists. Link text -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
An act that provides equal education to those who have disabilities. IDEA allowed students to be mainstreamed; while beneficial in many ways, it was also difficult for teachers, who had little experience with students with disabilities. -
School Choice Movement
The student choice movement gives students the opportunity to choose where they would like receive their education by providing alternative schools, such as charter, magnet, and homeschooling options. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
MOST IMPORTANT...This act was established by President George W. Bush, and was intended to boost student performance through reaching for a 100% proficiency level. However, without much guidance, the program failed. As school funding was targeted through the act, schools failed to submit their proficiency scores and essentially ignored the act altogether. Link text -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
An extension of the NCLB, the ESSA aims to center education on college and career readiness in order to create better citizens.
