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Education in the Colonial Period
Education during this time period was heavily based on the Protestant faith. The New England Primer was used to teach children to read. -
Common Schools
These schools taught a common body of knowledge. They were free of charge and funded with tax dollars. -
The Impact of Horace Mann
Horace Mann visited a thousand schools and wrote reports on their condition. He was a crusader for public education and in support of the Common Schools. -
Population Growth and Immigration in the 19th Century
The population of America increased as many immigrants came seeking greater economic opportunity and religious freedom. -
Committee of Ten
This group of educators recommended the standardization of American high school curriculum. -
The Impact of John Dewey
John Dewey was known as the father of progressive education and claimed that schools could help to preserve the American way of life. -
The Impact of WWII
The postwar "baby boom" hit the public schools. Kindergarten and elementary school enrollments increased from 17.7 million to 24.3 million. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
MOST IMPORTANT: This Supreme Court ruling in Topeka, Kansas banned segregation. This event is significant because it declared that "separate but equal" was unconstitutional. This is still impacting education today because we still don't segregate our schools. This Supreme Court decision has helped to unite blacks and whites. For more information, visit this website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html. -
The War on Poverty
MOST IMPORTANT: President Lyndon Johnson created federal programs to help disadvantaged students who were in poverty. This event is significant because it showed that the federal government was trying to aid the poor people in America.This is impacting education today because these federal programs have kept millions of children out of poverty. There's still a lot of poverty, but there has been good progress in preventing it. More information: https://www.britannica.com/topic/War-on-Poverty -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This Act provided $4 billion to aid disadvantaged students. -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
MOST IMPORTANT: This Act protected the rights and needs of students with disabilities. This event is significant because it allowed students with disabilities free, appropriate public education. This is still impacting education today because students with disabilities can now be included in public schools. This helps them to develop friendships with other kids rather than just living in isolation. For more information: https://www.disability.gov/individuals-disabilities-education-act-idea/ -
A Nation at Risk Report
This report stated that more than 40% of students wasted their school years pursuing course work that didn’t prepare them for work or for college. -
Growth of Standardized Testing
Standardized testing was created to measure students' growth and understanding of the material they learn in school. -
The Standards Movement
MOST IMPORTANT: This Movement pushed for higher education standards. It led to a longer school day and year, as well as more homework. This event is significant because it shaped basic standards that students need to learn to be successful in their lives. This is still impacting education today because we have the Common Core Standards. Those explain what teachers need to teach their students. For more information, visit this website: http://www.sonoma.edu/users/p/phelan/423/standards.html -
No Child Left Behind Act
MOST IMPORTANT: This Act made it so schools had to give annual tests in math and reading. It aimed to help students who were disadvantaged to get a high quality education. This event is significant because it aimed to boost student achievement and to hold schools more accountable for student success. This is still impacting education today because there's a lot of controversy over whether or not it's been successful. For more information: http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/no-child-left-behind/
