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Horace Mann- Normal Schools
The opening of the first normal school is significant because it strived to give an equal educational opportunity to every American child rich or poor. It impacted education by advocating teaching as a profession and gave teachers the opportunity to practice their skills according to the norms of their profession. It continues to influence education by the current universal education system constantly shaping to develop along with social change as Horace Mann envisioned. -
National Teachers Association
The National Teachers Association being founded is significant because it advocated for equal working and learning opportunities for both teachers and students. It impacted education at the time "To promote the cause of popular education in the United States." (Promedian productions, 2006,14:36) It continues to influence education by bettering work conditions for it's members of the now NEA union and by securing opportunity for all students of the public school system. -
Maria Montessori
Montessori teaching method is significant because she was one of the first to emphasize teaching based on the child's individuality and unique needs revolutionizing the field of early education. At the time it impacted education by breaking learning traditions and instead applying her own theories on how children learn naturally. It continues to influence education by being applied in approximately 5,000 Montessori programs today. (Langhorne, p.2, 2019). -
Brown vs Board of Education
Brown vs Board of Education is significant because it helped lead to the supreme court decision that in public schools, the doctrine "Separate, but equal" was inherently unequal. This impacted education at the time by helping to fuel the civil rights movement that eventually desegregated schools. It continues to influence education today by continuing the debate on how to fight racial inequalities in the nation's school system. -
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind is significant because it increased the federal role in holding schools accountable for student outcomes.At the time, it impacted education by changing the standards of what students are taught, tests they take, the trainings of teachers, and how money is spent on education. It continues to influence education by using the power of fear on teachers to help increase standardized test scores, by decreasing funding.
