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Massachusetts Laws of 1642 and 1647
In 1642 they passed a law that all boys and girls need to be educated. The idea was that the early colonies of America needed to be able to read and write, so they could learn and understand the governing laws of the land. If people could not read, they would be unable to learn and understand the laws. If they could not learn and understand the laws, it would be impossible for them to abide by them.
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The Impact of Webster on American Education *Important
In 1783 Noah Webster published a book best known by it's blue cover, affectionately known as the Blue-Backed Speller. Webster thought that our country was sitting on a great opportunity. He wrote, "“Now is the time and this the country in which we may expect success in attempting changes to language, science, and government. Let us then seize the present moment and establish a national language as well as a national government.” Read more about Webster -
Common Schools and Horace Mann
Horace Mann, also known as the Father of the Common School, was elected Secretary of the Board of Education in Massachusetts in 1837. It was then that he started the movement of Common Schools, which meant that every child would receive a free education funded by taxes. His movement spread outside of Massachusetts, as other schools took on the idea of universal schooling. Horace Mann and Common Schools -
Progressive Reform Movement
The Progressive Reform Movement took children out of the drudgery of factory work, and made school attendance mandatory. It also pushed for women, minorities, as well as men, to continue on to receive a high school education.
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The Impact of John Dewey
John Dewey is known as the Father of Progressive Education. He believed that children learned by a hands on approach. He thought we should be interested in the whole child, and if we did that then teaching and learning would be different and better. Progressive education focused on learning by doing, exercise, and exploring the wonders of outdoors, among other things.
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The Impact of WW2 on American Education
Life was disrupted at home because mothers and fathers were entering into industries or services of war. That made for more delinquent issues with children outside of school. Also, there was a withdrawal of teachers going into war services or industries which put the schools in crisis. Read more about this HERE. -
Brown vs. Board of Education *Important
This was a historic landmark in education. The Supreme Court declared that seperate but equal was not the case, after the NAACP gathered substantial evidence proving that it was not equal. Schoolhouses were in poor repair, text books were outdated. They declared by unanimous decision that segregation was unconstitutional and banned segregation in our public schools.
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School Choice
School choice is a reform movement that gives parents the option to let their children attend different schools of their choosing. For example, they have a choice between charter schools, private schools, and even homeschooling options, instead of attending the public school in the area.
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The Launch of Sputnik
The launch of Sputnik was a shock to Americans. Just one mere month later, we were supposed to launch the "first" satellite into space, but the Russian's beat us to it. This event made us as a country put a target on the backs of our schools. It blamed them for not teaching our children well enough in Math and Science. So in this time, that is where our efforts were placed. Math, Science, and Technology were pushed more previdently into the American school's curriculum.
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The Civil Rights Act *Most important
After the Brown vs. Board of Eduactaion case was won, the law to desegregate public schools was poorly enforced. It wasn't until the Civil Rights Act was passed, that desegregation was really implemented. As soon as the Congress passed this movement in 1964 (signed by President Johnson) stating that federal funds would be revoked if public schools did not desegregate, the states began to take it seriously. Read more HERE -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act *Important
This bill was signed by President Johnson to aid his "War on Poverty". It provided 4 billion dollars to help underprivelaged children receive a good education. President Johnson said "An equal chance at education meant an equal chance at life." The funds were authorized for materials, professional development, resources to promote professional development, and for parental involvement.
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Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act *Important
This act ensured that children with disabilities would receive a free and appropriate education, in the least restrictive environment. It provided protection for the rights of these children and their families. It was originally passed by congress in 1975, but has been revised over the years. The idea behind IDEA is that all children can learn. It supports special education and accomodations.
For more information click HERE -
A Nation at Risk Report
Becuase SAT scores were declining, this report suggested that our schools were failing. It brought about many ideas for the reform of our educational system, like more time in school. It also asked that the standars be raised, requiring more focus on math, english, social studies, and science, as well as computer technology. The report didn't take into account that though the overall average of SAT scores had declined, the subgroups scores had increased. Read more HERE -
Standards Movement
The article that was published, called A Nation at Risk, started this movement. It made us as a country reevaluate what we were teaching. It started in 1983 and continues on to today. As of now, 49 states have some kind of academic standards.
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No Child Left Behind Act
This act requires that all public schools receiving federal funds must issue a standardized test throughout the state, annually.Some of the effects brought about, are that schools are held more accountable to their students' progress in learning. One of the negatives is that some teachers "teach to the test" and miss out on more enriched learning opportunities.
Read more HERE.
