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Education in the Colonial Period
Colonials wanted education to coincide with religious practices. Only the wealthy had a chance for an education, or was paid for by a benefactor. -
First Education Laws: Massachusetts- Most Important
1642, Massachusetts Bay Colony passed the first law requiring that children be taught to read and write. The English Puritans who founded Massachusetts believed that the success of the colony, depended on a people literate enough to read both the Bible and the laws of the land. In 1647 Massachusetts law mandated that every town of 100 or more families support a 'petty' (elementary) school.
https://www.massmoments.org -
The Impact of Jefferson and Rush
Jefferson and Rush were advocates for free education.
Jefferson believed that in order to vote in a democracy, citizens needed to know how to read and write. He wanted 3 years of free education for all children.
Rush believed that free schooling should be available to all. He also advocated for both education for blacks and for women. -
Noah Webster- Most Important
During his years as a student and then as a schoolteacher, Webster realized the American education system needed to be updated. Webster believed that Americans should learn from American books, so in 1783, he wrote his own textbook: A Grammatical Institute of the English Language. He also fought for copyright laws, a strong federal government, universal education, and the abolition of slavery.
https://www.noahwebsterhouse.org/discover/noah-webster-history.htm -
Monitorial Schools, Charity Schools, & Infant Schools
Monitorial schools had one paid teacher that taught hundreds of students the subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic.
Charity schools were established by different charity groups in order to educate the poor.
Infant schools were primarily taught by women and the students were in the age range of 4-7 years old. -
Common Schools
The common school movement was during in the 1830s. The curriculum was a common body of knowledge. Common schools were a cornerstone in the American way of life. -
Horace Mann- Most Important
Among the first to advocate for public education, he believed that in a democratic society, education should be free and universal, nonsectarian, democratic in method, as well as rely on well-trained teachers. He was the Secretary for the State Board of Education. for 11 years. He took equity of the conditions of school houses and set out to improve the quality of education.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Horace-Mann -
Frederick Douglas
Douglas was a former slave who believed that African American children had a right to learn and the schools should be open to all children. -
Catherine Beecher- Most Important
In 1852 she founded the American Woman’s Educational Association, which aimed to send teachers west to build schools on the developing frontier.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/catharine-esther-beecher -
The Progressive Reform Movement
This movement was to change the practice of education. Progressive Reform took education from a "subject centered" content to a "child centered" philosophy. -
The Impact of John Dewey
Dewey believed that education works best when It considers not only the intellectual but also the social, emotional, and physical needs of the student. Dewey is said to be "Father of Progressive Schools". -
The Gary Plan
This plan took place in Gary Indiana, and had lavish modern school buildings. The curriculum kept students moving and was hands-on. This plan taught students more subjects, and a split shift system that moved students from room to room for different subjects. The motto for The Gary Plan was, "Every working man a scholar, and every scholar a working man". -
The Measurement Movement (IQ, Thorndike, Terman)
IQ is a number used to indicate a persons mental development. Thorndike administered to 2 million soldiers from 1917- 1919, in the world's first effort in the mass measurement of intelligence. It became common to do in education. Children began to be classified by number and compared to one another, thus limiting their potential. -
Brown vs. Board of Education - Most Important
By overturning the “separate but equal” doctrine, the Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education had set the legal precedent that would be used to overturn laws enforcing segregation in other public facilities. this impart marked a beginning to the Civil Rights Movement.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
Sputnik and NDEA
The Space age. During this time federal funding increased for math, science, and foreign languages. The "Spiral Curriculum" was instituted, which meant that a sequence of curriculum was spread throughout the grades and got more intensive with each grade. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Provided money to aid disadvantaged students. If schools were integrated, they received federal funding. If schools were not integrated, federal funding was cut. -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, 1975
(EHA) the right for children with disabilities a free and appropriate education. This guaranteed rights not only for disabled students but for all children. -
School Choice Movement: Charter Schools, Vouchers
Parents of all socioeconomic backgrounds want the right to send their kids to a school of their choice at the publics expense. Charter Schools are publicly funded, established by a charter from the state. Vouchers promote school choice. -
The Standards Movement
Improving Americas Schools Act reformed schools at state and local levels to meet national goals. Reforming standards and accountability resulted in "high stakes testing" to determine students who could graduate high school. -
No Child Left Behind
Requires all states to develop standards for all students in math and reading. Schools and districts need to document progress with an (AYP) Adequate Yearly Progress.
