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Common Education
The period of Progressive Education, originally spearheaded by Horace Mann, changed the way students would be educated forever. His policies ensured that every child could receive a basic education funded by local taxes. The popularization of public education and the idea that education should be an equalizer among citizens of all genders and social standing has shaped the education system currently in use. Not only would education become available to all, but it would become compulsory. -
Brown v. The Board of Education
"Separate but equal is not equal." This court case finally made it illegal to separate students based on race. This opened the doors (literally) for children of color as the "colored schools" were rarely given the same educational resources as "white schools." It would take many years for this to be the norm but this decision has opened the door for more minority equality not only in education, but in the workforce and other aspects of life (Kaplan & Owings, 2015, pg. 151). -
Head Start
President Johnson passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in order to give disadvantaged children access to educational programs. Head Start gives students aged 3-5 educational programs to ensure their readiness for school success. Even though long term benefits cannot be proven, introducing education early on for children who otherwise wouldn't have it has kept the achievement gap from widening among economically disadvantaged families (Kalpan & Owings, 2015, pg. 163). -
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
Amended multiple times, IDEA addressed the need for a free and appropriate education for those intellectually disabled. This meant acknowledging that some students learn best in different environments and that calls for an individualized education program while still being involved in regular socialization and other activities. This act has worked to give merit to each child's education and lessen the stigma that comes with disability (Kaplan & Owings, 2015, pg. 159). -
Virtual Education
Virtual Education is still being developed across educational platforms as a way to give students a flexible way to study special interests or to complete an entire degree. This is an important advancement for non-traditional students, whether they are working to support themselves, or chronically ill. Research has been conducted that shows that online education can be just as effective as in person schooling (Kaplan & Owings, 2015, pg. 169).
