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Education in the Colonial Period
The wealthy were the only ones who could afford schooling so unless you came from money you usually were "home schooled" the basics. Usually this was enough to read your bible and do simple math. -
Secondary School Movement
In 1820 the first high school opened. Secondary schools were designed to better prepare children for either college or life. Not many girls went to secondary school. -
Horace Mann and the Common School
Horace Man was the Father of the Common School. Horace believed that every child deserved a free public education. Horace Mann came up with the common school so every child can have that opportunity. -
Progressive Reform Movement
this started in the 1880's and lasted for about 60 years. The main goal was to make schooling a normal everyday thing for children across America -
Committee of Ten
In the late 1800s it was unsure what the purpose of high school was. Some saw it as preparation for college some saw it as a place to learn practical skills. A group of ten was appointed by the NEA to establish a standard curriculum for the American high school. -
Immigration
In the first few decades of the 1900s there was a large number of immigrants. So many that the school systems had to accommodate and change curriculum. The new curriculum focused on English and "americanization". -
WWll
During world war 2 the funding for public schooling got turned toward helping the Allies. Children stayed home to help while their parents helped with war efforts. Youths in secondary school dropped out to enlist. -
Sputnik and NDEA
National Defense Education Act was signed to provide funding to schools following the launch of the Soviet Unions Sputnik. The funding went toward funding schools science departments. -
Civil Rights Movement
It was believed that a proper education was a civil right regardless of education. That being said education was at the forefront of the civil rights movement. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
This overturned the ruling of Plessy vs Ferguson which allowed for "separate but equal" schools. The ruling of Brown vs. Education stated that separate but equal was in fact not equal. It required schools to allow integration. This provided some of the sparks that lit the flames of the civil rights movement. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This was passed as part of Lyndon B Johnson's "war on poverty". This enabled funding for programs that would help schools raise academic achievement for struggling students. -
The Standards Movement
This called for clear measurable standards. Curriculum as well as assessments are based around these standards. -
Nation at Risk
This was president Regan's reform for education. It focussed on a more rigorous curriculum, making school days longer, homework, and more enfaces on computer science. -
No Child Left Behind
Education programs are administered by the state to test students progress. These programs test reading and math in grades 3 through 8. -
The Individuals with Disability Education Act
This stated that every child regardless of disability deserves a appropriate and free public education. Each students education will be tailored to their specific needs in order to better help them succeed.
