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Before the Revolutionary War, most people only knew how to read and figure their taxes.
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Average Lifetime School Attendance
In 1776, the average lifetime school attendance was less than 82 days. -
Thomas Jefferson's proposal for guaranteed education
Jefferson introduced the idea that every person should be guaranteed 3 years of public education, with a select few moving on to an university education. -
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Jefferson sent his proposal to a vote 3 times during this time. Each time, it was defeated.
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Webster published the "Bluebook Speller"
This book became known as America's textbook. It was also a precursor to Webster's English Dictionary. -
Horace Mann's physical inspection of schools
Mann rode horseback from town to town and physically inspected the school buildings. He found varied school systems (no continuity) and structures that were not sound. -
Average attendance is 4 months and the cost is $2.81/pupil (Massachusetts)
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By 1840, nearly 1/2 of New York residents were foreign born.
This fact is a precursor to the debates and issues that arise when people argue for different systems all to be supported by public funds. -
Debates on tax funds for schools that focus on different religions
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Public School Society is replaced with the New York City Board of Education
The NYC Board of Education is a group chosen through election. -
90 African Americans petition Boston School Committee
The petition called for an immediate end to segregation in the school system. -
Average attendance is 7 months and the cost is $4.80/pupil (Massachusetts)
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Robert's v. Boston reaches the Massachusets State Supreme Court
Robert's sued the city of Boston on behalf of his daughter, Sara. She was denied access to 5 white schools because of her race.
Some African Americans supported Robert's case while others were pro-segregation.
Chief Judge Shaw ruled against Robert's. -
John Hughes becomes the Archbishop of New York
Hughes' power leads him to create a national system of Catholic schools. -
A new law abolished segregation in schools.
This was in Massachusetts. It was the first law in the nation. -
End of Civil War
After the Civil War and the USA expanded west, it became a requirement of states to offer public education.
Also, African American literacy jumped from about 5% to nearly 70%. -
Public school funds reach $63 million and enrollment reaches 7.6 million
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U.S. provides schooling to children more than any other nation
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Public school funds reach $141 million and enrollment reaches 12.7 million
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Supreme Court cites Shaw when segregation was permitted
Segregation was permitted on the basis that "separate could still be equal". -
John Dewey publishes "School & Society"
Dewey attacked the current curriculum.
He is considered the father of progressive education. -
50% of children were enrolled in school and the average schooling was 5 years
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World's Fair, Paris
America presented it's education system at the World's Fair. The focus was on their progressive techniques (which relies on "doing" rather than just sitting in class/reciting lessons). -
6% High School graduation rate for 17 year olds
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Largest Steel Mill built on the shores of Lake Michigan
This mill brought many immigrants to Gary, IN looking for work. The massive increase in population pushed Gary for more schools and more advancement in their progressive techniques.
Their system became known as the "Gary plan". -
As late as 1910, 2 million children were working across America.
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N.Y.C. Mayor John Mitchel put the Gary plan into action in 30 N.Y. schools
This act led to violent controversy all over the city. -
N.Y.C. Mayor's Race
Democratic representative John Hylan attacked the Gary plan as a plot to turn out cheap labor for big corporations.
The public became feared that the plan was limiting the immigrant children's career possibilities.
Riots break out over the Gary plan (police are attacked, school buildings are damaged, etc.).
Hylan won and got rid of the Gary plan for N.Y.C. -
America enters World War I
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WWI Ends
The end of the war led to the destruction of many books on the German language/culture.
At least 35 states required that schools teach English only. -
$1 billion expenditure & 17% High School graduation rate for 17 year olds
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By the 1920s, 1 million kids are tested (IQ tests) each year.
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In the 1930s, child labor was banned and school attendance was required until the age of 16.
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By the 1930s, 2/3 of Mexian-American students were labeled "mentally retarded" or slow.
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45% High School graduation rate for 17 year olds
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Average School Attendance is 9 years
Average School Attendance is 9 years -
Education Statistics
*African-Americans are segregated by law in 17 states.
*Mexican-American students are in school an average of 5.4 years.
*72% of disabled children are not enrolled in school. -
Arthur Bestor publishes "Educational Wastelands"
He did not agree with progressive education and he wanted the schools to return to basic subjects. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court reaches a unanimous decision on the Brown v. Board of Education case - they decide against segregation. -
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Effects of Brown v. BOE
*After the Brown v. BOE case, schools become integrated. *However, students are still not accepted in the previous white schools and some black students did not want to change school because of this fact.
*Also, more than 30,000 black teachers are displaced because the newly integrated schools will not hire them. -
Little Rock, Arkansas
*The Arkansas governor called the national guard to keep out 9 black students from school.
*President Eisenhower sent in federal troops to escort those 9 students to school. -
The Russians send Sputnik to space
They beat the U.S. to space which was a staggering moment for Americans. They could not understand how the Russians beat the U.S.
This lead to the Eisenhower education act.
This also led an academic push towards math, science, and engineering in the schools. -
President Eisenhower passes the National Defense Education Act
This act allowed gave money to schools yearly- about $100 million/year which was the largest of the time. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act was passed which stated that schools could lose federal funding if they were not integrated. -
85% of 16 year olds plan to attend college
85% of 16 year olds plan to attend college -
In Texas, 75% of Mexican-American students drop out by 8th grade.
In Texas, 75% of Mexican-American students drop out by 8th grade. -
Students in Texas, petition the school board.
87% at Crystal City are Mexican-American
The students draw up a list of "demands" on how they should be treated by other students and instructors.
When the school board refused, over 500 students went on "strike" and protested the school.
They also contacted the civil rights group with the U.S. Dept of Justice. -
4 seats are filled by Mexican-Americans in the TX school board
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The supreme court uses busing to help integrate schools.
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91% of black children attend integrated schools
91% of black children attend integrated schools -
The Women's Equity Action League charged the government for not enforcing the law (with regards to equality).
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Choice Experiment begins
East Harlem creates small, alternative schools in existing buildings. They went from 20 schools to 52 schools. -
Supreme Court boosts support of bilingual education
Published new teaching materials in almost 70 languages.
They gave $68 million for bilingual programs. -
The civil rights legislation was extended to over 3 million disabled students.
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Average School Attendance is 12.5 years
Average School Attendance is 12.5 years -
Reagan speaks on "learning crisis".
This wasn't really the truth- schools were being blamed for the bad economy. -
Voucher system in Wisconsin
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More than 200 deaths from shooting in schools
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Debate on whether to use vouchers for religious schools
Supreme Court says no- it would violate the separation of church and state. -
1500 students use voucher system in Milwuakee
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$80 million to aid in the construction of charter schools
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Charter schools run by "for profit" corporations = 173
There are at least 2100 charter schools in the U.S. and more than 90,000 public schools. -
Public school enrollment is at 47.8 million - almost 90%
