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1820s-1840s: The Beginning of Public Education
The goal of education during this time period was to instill common moral and political values in children, as well as to establish national unity and equality of opportunity.
With common instruction in morality and politics the country would become free of crime, immorality and revolution. With equal opportunity conflicts between rich and poor would be quelled because every citizen was provided with an equal opportunity to achieve wealth. -
1880s-1920s: Immigration, Industrialization and Welfare
- Shift in education to focusing on the whole child, which included expansion of school services, to include nutrition, nursing, after-school care, and family interventions.
- Vocal Edcuation is introduced.
- There is a new emphasis on patriotism and school spirit largely due to an increase in immigration.
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1920s-1940: Keep Them Contained
Primary focus of keeing students out of the labor market and off the street, potentially engaging in unseemly activities. -
1950s-1980s: Civil Rights and Multi-Culturism
The civil rights movement introduced multiculturism and the idea of racial harmony into schools, as well as embracing different cultures.
Previously schools, focused on stripping away any non-Anglo Savxon cultural heritgages. -
1980s-2000s: Global Economy and Global Education
-New focus on globalization, economic growth, and preparing students for life and career in a global economy.
-The beginning of mass testing and national standards
-Both are seen as key to global competitiveness
