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Progressivism Movement Started in 1890s
"Beginning the 1890s, a younger generation of scholars and educators, often disdaining the rigid deterministic paradigm of the earlier evolutionists like Morgan, coalesced around the reform movement called "Progressivism." (Cuban, 1984). This quote is important because the young generation mentioned is what helped create the Committee on Social Science. This movement not only helped establish the classroom environment we are used to today but the social studies curriculum as well. -
Jones Wrote A Series of Articles For The Southern Workman 1905- 1906
" Describing in detail the purposes, content, and goals of the Hampton program. These articles and related ones were subsequently published by the Hampton Institute Press." (Lybarger, 1983). Jones's series of articles is important because what he describes becomes the basis of the recommendations of the Committee on Social Studies. Jones becomes the chairman of the Committee on Social Studies and his articles hold ideas used in the Committee. -
Committee on the Social Sciences Established
"In 1912, the National Education Association decided to launch a major reform effort to restructure secondary education by instituting a Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education" (Johnson, 2000). This commission mentioned in the above quote also established the Committee on Social Sciences. The committee is very important because it established the beginning of what becomes the social studies curriculum. -
The Term Social Studies Was First Used
"After the U.S. National Education Association Commission officially adopted the term social studies to describe the social education portion of the curriculum in 1916, this American invention became one of the most dominant and central forms of social science education." (Wong, 1991). This is important because not only was the term used, but he helped define what would be used in the curriculum. The term and what was taught in social studies soon spread across the world. -
Alternative Teaching Methods Become Avaliable
" In 1940, alternatives to standard teaching methods were available, widely known, used by a minority of teachers, and considered respectable by professional norms" (Cuban, 1984). Before the 1940s, there was a standard teaching method that teachers stuck with even if students were not very engaged in the material. Alternative teaching methods not only helped keep students more engaged, but it helped teachers find out what teaching methods work best for them and their students. -
Launch of Sputnik Leads To Math and Science Receiving More Attention and Funding
"Sputnik served as a clarion call for American education in science and math and in studied that would strengthen U.S. brainpower in the Cold War" (Evans, 2004). The launch of Sputnik forever changed the American education system by putting more emphasis on math and science compared to social studies and English. More money was put directly into math and science education and even today STEM subjects receive is more prominent compared to the social sciences. -
History and Geography Classes Declined and Social Studies Classes Increased
"Within six decades, the proportion of countries offering history and geography has declined from around 80 percent to 44 percent, whereas social studies has risen from 11 percent to 60 percent" (Wong, 1991). This quote is important because it shows that by the 1960s social studies had taken hold as a subject instead of just history or geography classes. This the begging of the standard social studies curriculum being widely established in schools. -
Project Social Studies Created
“In the issue of Social Education of October 1962, the same month as the Cuban Missile Crisis, a small, two-paragraph piece “Announcement for Project Social Studies,” appeared at the bottom half of one page” (Evans, 2004). The project gave money for research, curriculum study centers, and conferences because of the Cuban Missile Crisis scare. While social studies received more funding it was still not deemed as important as math and science and was only announced in a social science journal. -
The Bradley Commission Was Formed
“The commission adopted a platform of nine resolutions calling for study of history to be required of all students; for the kindergarten through grade 6 social studies curriculum to be history-centered; and for no fewer than 4 years of history in grades 7 through 12" (Evans, 2004). The Bradley Commission helped establish the social studies requirements in effect today. Today social studies is offered at every grade level and is required in most grades. -
The Creation of The National History
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The Creation of The National History Standards
"The 1994 National History Standards were an outgrowth of thinking
among many historians, that if standards were inevitable, it was better to be involved and have some influence" (Evan, 2004). This is important because the standards created by the National History Standards continue to be in effect today. It is also important to mention that the standards were under media scrutiny for focus on being "politically correct" and multiculturalism.