Timeline of American Education

By BG2009
  • Discussion of Teachers and the Curriculum during the American Colonial Period

    Throughout the colonies, teachers ranked just below religious leaders in importance. Serving as a role model brought with it many expectations. In most schools, teaching focused on basic reading, writing, simple math, and religion.
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    American Colonial Period

  • Education of African Americans during this period

    Before the Civil War there were very few African-American slaves who were able to read and write, most who knew how to had learned in secret. Laws had been put in place banning African-Americans from getting an education due to whites fearing that it would lead to rebellion. When African-American schools were finally opened there was a low amount of funding for it.
  • Describe the education of New England colonies

    Puritans and what they found important
  • Discuss the few universities & colleges

    A few universities did exist in the colonies including Harvard and William and Mary.
  • Describe education in the Middle Atlantic states during this period

    The Quakers, a religious group from England that settled around Philadelphia, believed that everyone should be educated.
  • Explain the idea of an apprentice

    An apprentice is-someone who learns a skilled trade by watching and helping an expert in that trade.
  • Explain Ben Franklin's role in education during this period

    Explain Ben Franklin's role in education during this period
    Benjamin Franklin: Started a secondary school in Philadelphia, the school was open to anyone who could pay for it.
  • Describe education in the Southern Colonies during this period

    Most colonists in the New England colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) came from England. The majority of them were Puritans. This religious group believed in the importance of religious education and valued each person’s ability to read the bible. They viewed schools as a way to reach those goals and also to teach basic skills for early as 1642, Massachusetts enacted a law requiring every town to establish a school, although towns did not always follow this law
  • Explain Thomas Jefferson's role in education during this period

    Explain Thomas Jefferson's role in education during this period
    Thomas Jefferson: introduced legislation to divide countries in Virginia into smaller districts that were responsible for education.
  • Discussion of Teachers and the Curriculum during the Early National Period

    Teachers- were expected to be involved, making the community a better place.
    Curriculum- basics of reading, writing, and math, along with christian principles.
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    The American Early National Period

  • Discussion of Teachers and the Curriculum during the Common School Period

    Most children were educated at home or in small school houses where one teacher taught all grades. Significant changes include the establishment of kindergartens in public school and the passing of the Morill act in 1852.
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    The American Common School Period

  • Horace Mann role in education during this period

    Horace Mann role in education during this period
  • Discuss the emergence of KIndergarten

    The developer of the idea of kindergarten, Friedrich Froebel believed that children needed to learn through play while they were young. His ideas were not widely adopted in Germany but Americans were interested in the comments. Educators and parents saw the success in his methods. Before this time young children did not go to school before age seven.
  • Explain the Morrill Act

    The Morrill Act gave federal land to establish colleges in every state. Land-grant colleges were made for higher education available for every American nationwide.
  • Discuss the emrergence of Career and Technical education during this period

    Career and technical institutes prepared students for specific career paths and job opportunities. They needed these institutes to prepare students for trades that are not practiced as much but needed.
  • Discussion of Teachers and the Curriculum during the American Progressive Period

    Many teachers grew unhappy with the emphasis on standardization and wanted more freedom in the classroom. Many thought the curriculum was too standardized and students should be encouraged to think critically and independently.
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    The American Progressive Period

  • Explain John Dewy's role in education during this period

    Explain John Dewy's role in education during this period
  • Explain Maria Montessori's role in education during this period

    Maria Montessori was Italy's first female doctor, she focused on finding ways to help children with learning difficulties. The teaching program she developed had a significant impact on young children. The program Maria developed is now known as the Montessori method.
  • Summarize the state of education during this era

    Public schools faced a shortage of cash, since many citizens were unable to pay their taxes. Some school districts ceased to operate while others shortened the school year.
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    The 1920's and The Great Depression Period

  • Explain what is meant by a Dick and Jane reader

    Explain what is meant by a Dick and Jane reader
    These books taught basic reading skills with simple stories about a family. From the 1930’s to the 1960’s over 85 million students used these textbooks.