-
The Child Education Approach
This movement was crucial in the history of American education. This movement helped us realize that we should be focusing on the child (Kaplan&Owings, 2015). We began to realize that not all children learn the same way and that that play was crucial to learning (Kaplan&Owings, 2015). Instead of pushing academics that consist of basically forcing materials on to children and requiring them to memorize content, they were now truly learning through play. -
The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917
The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 recognized that every student has a different educational journey. By providing vocational education in public schools, students had the opportunity to learn a trade or how to operate machinery which allowed students who weren't going to college the opportunity to graduate high school with a skill set that would help them be successful after high school. (Kaplan & Owings, 2015) -
The Cardinal Principles of 1918
This report recognized that the student body was made up of students with differing backgrounds, abilities, and goals.(Kaplan & Owings, 2015) Support was needed to help students with planning their education for the future. Guidance and counseling became part of high school to support students with their journey. (Kaplan & Owings, 2015) Students had choices and control of their futures. -
Brown v Board of Education
This was the most significant event in the history of American education. Winning this case allowed all races to attend the same school (Kaplan & Owings, 2015). Allowing all children, despite their race, to attend the same school opened up equal opportunities to children of African-American descent. Although it took many years for all states to incorporate this ruling into their schools, this decision gave hope to all of the minority students wanting an equal education. -
Public Law 94-142 and IDEA
In 1975, students with disabilities finally were given the right to a free and appropriate education that included an IEP, special ed services, related services, due process procedures, and the least restrictive learning environment in which to learn (Kaplan&Owings,2015) This allowed many of these children to have hope for a future where they could be contributing members of society. -
Virtual Education
This rapidly growing trend has changed education as we know it. By using computers to attending class from the comfort of their own homes, students are able to learn at their own pace and in a comfortable and familiar environment. Virtual education has opened opportunities for all students, including those who may need more time to complete their school work (Kaplan&Owings, 2015) It also allows more family involvement in the student's education.
