The Modern History of Education in America The Modern History of Education in America • Each era’s historical events impact – expectations of the educational system – the public’s perception of it • Some presidents have been more involved in educational policies, while others believe education should be left to individual states © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. For Discussion • What modern event do you believe has most influenced the evolution of education? Why? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Objective • Identify links between key federal education legislation and perceived threats to national security or prosperity. © Daniel W. Slocum/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. American Education During the 1940s and 1950s • Teacher positions filled by women and African Americans during WWII • Veterans attended college or received training with federal money from the GI Bill • The children of the baby boom created the need for more schools and teachers © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. For Discussion • Do you know anyone who was part of the baby boom? Do you know of other historical periods that resulted in “baby booms”? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Keeping America Competitive • Americans feared Soviets’ technological advantage • The National Defense Education Act encouraged stronger math, science, and foreign language programs • Homework requirements increased © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Objective • Trace the impact of the civil rights movement on American education. © Dave Newman/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Brown v. the Board of Education • Up to this point, schools were “separate but equal” • Court ruled that racial segregation of schools was unconstitutional • Ruling was critical to the civil rights movement © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Behaviorism • Educators embrace B.F. Skinner’s theory of behaviorism • Appropriate behavior and achievement are rewarded; punishments are common © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. American Education During the 1960s • Teenage baby boomers question conservatism • Political turmoil, assassinations, and the civil rights movement • Educational freedom spurred creative ideas for improvement © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The Civil Rights Act • Many schools continued to educate children separately • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in public schools and public places © Junial Enterprises/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 sought to – improve schools most in need – give federal money to schools where poor children were enrolled – equalize educational opportunities © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Project Head Start • Project Head Start was designed to help children from low-income families • Preschool children develop skills needed for school success • Today, Head Start programs may be coordinated with other programs © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. For Reflection • Why do you think so much of the civil rights movement involved education? © Archipoch/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. American Education During the 1970s • Divorce rate, number of single parents rise • More women enter the workforce • Unemployment, inflation rise • Less disposable income means schools have less funding © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Desegregation and Busing • Neighborhood schools tended to be divided by race • Forced integration led to busing students to different schools © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Objective • Give examples of ways the civil rights movement prompted improved educational opportunities for other groups. © Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Bilingual Education • The Supreme Court granted bilingual education to Spanish-speaking students • Language was a barrier to equal education • Schools were ordered to provide basic English language classes for those with limited English skills © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Gender Equity • The Equal Opportunity in Education Act prohibited discrimination based on gender in all programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance © Rob Marmiom/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Children with Disabilities • In 1975, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act – Guaranteed free education for children with disabilities – Education must be appropriate and take place in the least restrictive environment – Children with disabilities are able to spend at least part of their day in regular classrooms © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Objective • Research and evaluate the impact of educational reforms on teachers and students. © iofoto/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. American Education During the 1980s • Regan and Bush believed the federal government’s role in education should be reduced • Consumerism increased • Baby boomers begin raising families © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The Back-to-Basics Movement • A federal report showed that the U.S. was falling behind other countries in business, science, and technology • Millions of Americans were illiterate • The back-to-basics movement called for emphasis on reading, writing, and math © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. For Discussion • Is the back-to-basics movement significantly different from education today? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Objective • Identify how educational changes in recent decades continue to shape education today. © iofoto/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. American Education During the 1990s and Beyond • Technology played a major role • Good economy, low unemployment • Major challenges: – Terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, leading to war – Financial crisis that began in 2008 and affected the global economy © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The Computer Revolution • Computers weren’t in the classrooms until the mid-1990s continued © Roxanne McMillen/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The Computer Revolution • Computers became less expensive, more available, and essential • Education is available to the student any convenient time and place © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Educational Standards and Accountability • Educational standards help bring uniformity to education • Teacher associations developed national standards for various subject areas • Competency-based education provides an objective way of evaluating learning continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Educational Standards and Accountability • Setting standards led to a move toward accountability • Standardized tests can help – compare students from different schools – determine which programs are working © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. For Reflection • Do you think standardized tests truly measure student achievement? Why or why not? © Archipoch/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Goals 2000 • Goals 2000 Act of 1994 established six educational goals to be reached by the year 2000 • Implementation was left to states and local school districts © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. No Child Left Behind Act • Goal: to improve the performance of U.S. schools • Components include – increased accountability – more choices for parents choosing schools – increased focus on reading continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. No Child Left Behind Act • Receipt of federal funds are tied to school performance © moshimochi/Shutterstock continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. No Child Left Behind Act – Schools that succeed in meeting standards receive more money – Parents can move children to higher-achieving schools © Darrin Henry/Shutterstock continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. No Child Left Behind Act • Concerns: – Schools already behind would become even more poorly funded – Teachers would spend most time preparing students for standardized tests • Some states established more charter schools © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Competing in the Global Economy • Concerns that the U.S. is losing its competitive edge – American jobs shifting to foreign workers – Math and science scores are falling – Many students do not complete high school • Remaining competitive depends on a skilled and well-educated workforce © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Career Clusters • Career clusters help prepare students to succeed in the workplace • Sixteen general areas with related career opportunities and knowledge and skill requirements continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Career Clusters The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of: States’ Career Cluster Initiative, 2008, www.careertech.org © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Key Points • 1940s: War creates job opportunities for women, African Americans • 1950s: Cold War prompts emphasis on science, technology, and foreign language education • 1960s: The Civil Rights Act; focus on special education needs of children living in poverty continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Key Points • 1970s: Busing, bilingual education, equality for genders, education for children with disabilities • 1980s: Concern over lack of basic skills • 1990s and later: Concern over America’s ability to compete; emphasis on standards, accountability; budget concerns © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Review • What was the result of the case of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas? Racial segregation violated the Constitution and public schools were ordered to desegregate. • Why was busing started? Neighborhoods tended to be divided by race, so schools were not desegregating continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Review • What are educational standards? Guidelines defining what students at various levels should know and be able to do • What educational reform act was passed in 2001 with the goal to improve the performance of schools in the U.S.? No Child Left Behind Act © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.