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Thomas Jefferson's Impact
After the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson suggested that tax dollars be used to fund an educational system. Thomas' ideas were ignored and soon the idea for a public school system was nearly forgotten. https://people.howstuffworks.com/public-schools1.htm -
Horace Mann and Henry Barnard
A few schools around the country were opened in communities that could afford it. Horace Mann and Henry Barnard didn't like this. -
Laws
Massachusetts passed the first compulsory school laws. -
Immigration
With over 22 million people immigrating into the US between 1880-1914, it became necessary to help these new comers to adapt to American way of life. Education along with, marriage, language, and job opportunities, were several ways that these new Americans would adjust and blend into the Tossed Salad that is the American blend. People Growth of US Population: Growth Through Immigration -
Committee of Ten
In 1892 the National Education Association established the Committee of Ten in effort to standardize curriculum. The curriculum recommended the four curricula: Classical, Latin-specific, Modern Language, and English as courses for college prep. The objectives of the secondary curriculum were health, command of fundamental academic skills, worthy home membership, vocational preparation, citizenship, worthwhile use of leisure time, and ethical character. -
Secondary School Movement
During the early 20th century, many factors began leading towards an expansion in the High School system, which dates back in America as early as Boston in 1821. The rise in farmers moving into the cities, and a greater need for business professionals, among other things led to an increased need to educate young people for White Collar Jobs.
Growth of Public High Schools -
A Change
All American children were required to attend at least elementary school. -
The Measurement Movement
Lewis Terman was one who championed the use of testing ones intelligence in Americas schools and in the Military. Thorndike popularized this idea with his book, "A Century of Ability Testing."
Intelligence - Measurement -
Impact of World War II on Education
The end of WWII resulted in a huge spike of births as soldiers returned home, and came to be known as the BabyBoomer generation. Many more elementary schools were built around this time, and a variety of vocational, home economics, and agricultural programs began to be offered to Secondary Students.
Education after World War II -
Brown vs. Board of Education
In this landmark Supreme Case, the swift hand of interpretive law proclaimed that schools in the US should no longer be segregated, but should thenceforth be equal and welcome to all races. As the SCOTUS proclaimed it, " the opportunity of an education... where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms." -
Sputnik
Russia became the first country to launch a satellite into space. This jumpstarted the education system in America as educators vouched for more financial contribution to education so they would not fall behind the soviet country. In response, Congress approved $1 billion for the National Defense Education Act, which focused learning on mathematics, science, and modern foreign languages -
No Child Left Behind Act
Under George W. Bush, the No Child Left Behind Act was passed. This act required that in 4 years State's would have clear standards for what every child should know in math and reading. Tests would take place to make sure the students are meeting the standards. The implications of not meeting the standards are harsh on the teachers and the schools. Many people critique that it sets goals and uses punishment as a motivator to meet those goals. It also is underfunded from the federal government. -
Growth of Standardized Testing
Standard tests become the foundational resource US public schools use to measure the intellect of a child. " ...Students' scores on these tests do not provide an accurate index of educational effectiveness..."
History of Standardized Testing in the United States -
Individuals with Disabilities
This law made it so that schools would be required to offer education to students with disabilities. This education would be free via FAPE and tailored to their individual needs. This Act was previously known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act.
IDEA—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -
A Nation At Risk Report
During Reagan's presidency "A Nation at Risk Report" was released claiming that there was a "rising tide of mediocrity" in America's education system and students. This report led to the Educational Reform Movement of the 1980's. The first wave of the Reform movement was states creating higher requirements and increased standardized testing. The second wave of the movement was a call for change from the local and family level.
