Chapter 5 Education in the United States: Its Historical Roots Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Colonial Period (1607-1775) Historical, geographical, and demographic differences in the 13 original colonies led to different approaches to education. Religion played a major role in colonial life and also strongly influenced schooling. European educational thinkers emphasized more humane and child-centered educational practices. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Current Religious Controversies from the Colonial Period Should prayer be allowed in schools? Should federal money be used to provide instruction in religious schools? What role should religion play in character and sex education? Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Early National Period (1775-1820) Established a major educational role for states (Tenth Amendment to Constitution) Also established the idea that the federal government should use education to improve people’s lives and help the nation grow Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Common School Movement (1820-1865) Established the trend of education available to all, NOT just the rich Influenced by Horace Mann Taxes used to support public schools State education departments created to coordinate statewide efforts Curriculum standardized and schools organized by grade levels (versus one-room schools) Teacher preparation improved Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Evolution of the American High School The comprehensive high school attempts to meet the needs of all students. Latin grammar school (1635) was designed to help boys prepare for the ministry or law. Academy (1751) focused on practical subjects such as math, navigation, and bookkeeping; open to boys and girls. English classical school (1821) was a free secondary school for students not planning to attend college. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Junior High and Middle School Junior high schools, popular in the early and mid-1900s, were miniature versions of high schools with emphasis on individual academic subjects. Middle schools, popular from the 1970s, attempted to address adolescents’ developmental needs. Currently, some districts, dissatisfied with both junior highs and middle schools, are experimenting with K–8 schools. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Education of Native Americans Mission schools in the 1700s and 1800s, run by religious groups, were the first educational attempt to assimilate Native Americans. Federally funded and run boarding schools attempted to “Americanize” Native American students. Currently, most (91%) of Native American students attend public schools, but problems persist: Underachievement High dropout rates Low rates of college attendance Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Education of African Americans Before the Civil War, education participation and literacy rates were abysmally low. Literacy rates increased dramatically after the Civil War, but education efforts were plagued by substandard funding and resources. Booker T. Washington, who endorsed separate but equal, clashed with W.E.B. Dubois, who advocated integration and social activism. A “separate but equal” policy was supported by federal courts until 1954. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Education of Hispanic Americans Education of Hispanic Americans began in the Southwest with Catholic mission schools. Early emphasis on Hispanic American education was on assimilation. Language has been a major controversial issue in the education of Hispanic Americans. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Education of Asian Americans Asian Americans experienced discrimination, both in schools and society at large. Asian Americans are a diverse group of students from many different countries and cultures. In general, Asian American students do well in school, excelling in achievement. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Modern Era: Schools as Instruments for National Purpose and Social Change The Cold War with the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s focused federal educational efforts on math and science. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty attempted to use schools to eliminate the pervasive poverty in the U.S. Compensatory education programs like Title I and Head Start attempted to provide enriched experiences to the children of poverty. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Federal Government’s Role in Pursuing Equality The Civil Rights movement, culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, attempted to eliminate discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Title IX, passed in 1972, attempted to eliminate gender bias in schools. Segregation, especially in large urban districts, continues to be a persistent problem. Magnet schools are designed to attract and integrate students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Federal Government Reform Federal attempts to reform schools: Setting standards Creating testing programs Offering (or withholding) financial incentives Major issues with federal reform efforts: Federal versus state and local control of educational standards State versus federal control of testing programs Incentive programs that increase the influence of the federal government on education Kauchak and Eggen, Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional, 3rd Ed. © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.