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Colonial Education
In colonial times, only upper class white children were given the advantage of an education. This education included reading, writing, simple math, poems and prayers. There was little access to textbooks, so most of the education was based on memorization. Children were later instructed in preparation for their prospective roles in society. Boys were given higher education, while girls were taught the art of being homemakers. Girls were also often instructed by governesses as well. -
Common Schools
Common Schools were the standard between 1837-1900. Common Schools taught the 3 'r's : reading, writing and arithmetic. These Common Schools were tax funded, and were the begining of public schools. They provided basic education for children. -
The Impact of Horace Mann (MOST IMPORTANT)
Horace MannHorace Mann is known as “The Father of the Common School Movement”. His goal was to make education available to everyone for free, regardless of race or status. He believed that the public school system is crucial to the foundations of the country. He also pushed for more professional educators, and had many recruiting efforts carried out. He is referred to as the “Father”, and rightfully so. His efforts only began a series of legislative movements that have brought education to everyone. -
Committee of Ten
This committee determined that there should be a standardization of American High School curriculum. Also desired to hire more qualified educators for the public school system.
"...Every subject which is taught at all in a secondary school should be taught in the same way and to the same extent to every pupil so long as he pursues it, no matter what the probable destination of the pupil may be, or at what point his education is to cease." -
Monitorial Schools, Charity Schools, & Infant Schools
These three systems were the building blocks for our current education. Monitorial System: Qui docet, discit -- "He who teaches, learns." Students who were more advanced would teach the younger and less advanced - class sizes were larger, fewer employees.
Charity Schools: managed by parishes. Provided basic education for poor children and strived to teach trades.
Infants Schools: these were schools for children from around age 3 or 4 to 7. They then graduated to primary school. -
Secondary School Movement
This movement took place between 1910-1940. During this time, the pressure for the need of Secondary Schooling began to become prevalent. This secondary schooling was also considered to be completely tax funded. The education belt of the United States, including the state of Iowa, headed this movement by being one of the first states to begin Secondary Schooling. -
The Impact of John Dewey
Dewey believed in progressive education - or that the best way to learn is by doing. Dewey introduced a very child-centered approach to education. Dewey believed in an interdisciplinary curriculum, or connecting all subjects together. In Dewey’s perspective, a teacher is to serve more as a facilitator for educational opportunity, rather than an instructor, and a teacher should be learning alongside their own students. -
Brown vs. Board of Education (MOST IMPORTANT)
BrownBrown vs Board of Education was a supreme court case which fought against the idea of “separate but equal”. The schools were indeed separated by race, but far from equal. The court ruling outlawed segregation in public schools. Sadly it was a slow process to be carried out as many protested. Although schools became integrated, discrimination continued to happen. This case is important because our education system today is completely integrated with far less racial discrimination than before. -
Sputnik and NDEA
The Soviet Union launched a rocket named ‘Sputnik’. This struck a fear with Americans that soviet education was ahead of American education. NDEA (National Defense of Education Act) was put into place. This act provided a significant new amount of funding to schools. It provided grants to both primary and secondary education, as well as to higher education institutions. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (MOST IMPORTANT)
ESEAThis act is one of the roots of what America’s education system is today. It is constantly updated as needs in education change. It’s purpose is make education available for everyone. Grants for text and library books, low-income students, and scholarships for low-income students made education more accessible. Grants were given to the schools so as to improve their overall quality. Today the government follows this same pattern. -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (MOST IMPORTANT)
IDEAThis act was not directed towards the majority of students, but it’s impact has affected every student. It’s purpose is to make the same kind of education available to the disabled as it is to any other student. It includes plans for accommodation to individual student learning. This act was a step towards a farther reaching educational system. It put emphasis on the continued need for equality, and is another step away from discrimination and closer to accommodation. -
The Standards Movement
The Standards Based Education Movement primarily calls for clear and measurable standards for all students to adhere to in public education. It also promotes standardized testing and regulation for graduation. The standards should be able to outline what students should know, understand, and be able to do. Standards are also developed to be relevant for future employment and education. -
A Nation at Risk Report
This report was founded by President Ronald Reagan. It provided all the details about why the American education system was failing, and his call for reform. Reagan stated that the education system was failing to produce a competitive workforce. He also made comparisons to other nations, and how we were not measuring up. 38 recommendations for reform were presented regarding curriculum, time in school, teacher's wages, and even instruction in foreign language. -
School Choice Movement: Charter Schools, Vouchers
The School Choice Movement is a wide array of programs offering children and parents other options besides location assigned public schooling. This includes the options of charter schools, open enrollment for other public schools, homeschooling, and virtual schooling. The first charter school in the US opened in 1992 in Minnesota. -
No Child Left Behind Act (MOST IMPORTANT)
NCLBThis act is currently a major source of education funds. It’s purpose is to create standardized curriculums to raise all children to a higher level, regardless of circumstance. As states comply with the standardized curriculum, they are given federal funds. It acts as federal power, while still giving states flexibility to design their own curriculum. Standardized curriculums are constantly being updated to keep a progression in each of the states.
