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Period: 1500 to
Building the Foundation
The foundation of education began in the late 1400's, formed by the basis that children should be taught in their own language, early in life - when "pliable", and will learn best with hands on experiences in an enriched environment.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) translated the bible, children learn best in their own language.
John Amos Comenius (1592-1670) developed first picture book, emphasized sensory development.
John Locke (1632-1704) Children are formed by their experiences and environment. -
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Expanding the Foundation - Naturally
Future educators began expanding on the foundation laid by Luther, Comenius, and Locke in a natural approach to teaching.
Jean Jacques Rousseu (1712-1778) believed in "unfolding", the manner in which a child naturally unfolds and develops when given the freedom to do so. This may be assisted with introducing "gifts", toys or learning materials, to the classroom, Lessons for the child to learn when they are ready to learn, introduced by Friedric Wilhelm Froebel (1782-1852). -
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Child Centered Emphasis
The natural approach to education was enhanced with the progressive, child centered approach thanks in large part to John Dewey (1859-1952). Progressivism prioritized a child's interests over subject manner. Dewey thought it was important for children to learn through activities that occurred in daily life. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) Adopted this philosophy and felt that children will be internally motivated to learn through play by solving problems as they occur in the natural environment. -
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Sputnik and The National Defense Education Act NDEA
When the Sputnik launched in 1957, education was immediately bound to politics. Politicians decided that in order to compete and dominate on a world wide level an emphasis would need to be placed on education. Therefore, The National Defense Education Act was established in 1958. Federal funding was specifically allocated to programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Foreign Language. -
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The Civil Rights Movement and Education
During the 1960's the Civil Rights Movement had a tremendous impact on ensuring that education was a right for all people. The Civil Right Act of 1964 included provisions that would prohibit discrimination in public facilities, including schools, and educational programs and activities receiving federal assistance.
The civil rights laws represent a national commitment to end discrimination in education. US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights; https://www2.ed.gov/about -
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The Economic Opportunity Act and Head Start
Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. One of the purposes of this act was to ensure that educational programs, as well as other social services, would be available to children and individual despite their economic standing. The EOA produced the Head Start Program in 1965, this program is still in existence today and provides children with opportunities that might not be affordable without the program. The EOA was officially renamed The Head Start act in 1981. -
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ESEA and No Child Left Behind
In 1965 the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was put into place. If a student would qualify for the free or reduced lunch they qualify for additional programs set forth in ESEA, such as academic support, before and after school programs, and summer school.
In 2001 the ESEA was rebranded, No Child Left Behind or NCLB. This program includes the opportunities of the ESEA and adheres to the standards of the NDEA but schools receive funding based on test scores. It is a source of controversy. -
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Individual with Disabilities Act
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act was enacted in 1975 for the purpose of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all children with disabilities. It has since been expounded upon in 1990, renamed as the Individual with Disabilities Act, IDEA, and reauthorized in 1997 and 2004. All children with disabilities should be included in education, accessible via universal design, and curriculum specialized based on receptiveness of the student. IDEA is still in existence today.