2. The Modern History of Education in America7
The Modern History of Education in America

3. 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

4. What modern event do you believe has most influenced the evolution of education? Why?
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5. Identify links between key federal education legislation and perceived threats to national security or prosperity.
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6. 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

7. Do you know anyone who was part of the baby boom
Do you know anyone who was part of the baby boom? Do you know of other historical periods that resulted in “baby booms”?
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8. Keeping America Competitive
Americans feared Soviets’ technological advantage
The National Defense Education Act encouraged stronger math, science, and foreign language programs
Homework requirements increased

9. Trace the impact of the civil rights movement on American education.
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10. 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

11. Behaviorism Educators embrace B.F. Skinner’s theory of behaviorism
Appropriate behavior and achievement are rewarded; punishments are common

12. 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

13. 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
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14. 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

15. 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

16. Why do you think so much of the civil rights movement involved education?
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17. 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

18. Desegregation and Busing
Neighborhood schools tended to be divided by race
Forced integration led to busing students to different schools

19. Give examples of ways the civil rights movement prompted improved educational opportunities for other groups.
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20. 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

21. Gender Equity
The Equal Opportunity in Education Act prohibited discrimination based on gender in all programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance
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22. 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

23. Research and evaluate the impact of educational reforms on teachers and students.
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24. 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

25. 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

26. Is the back-to-basics movement significantly different from education today?
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27. Identify how educational changes in recent decades continue to shape education today.
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28. 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

29. The Computer Revolution
Computers weren’t in the classrooms until the mid-1990s
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continued

30. The Computer Revolution
Computers became less expensive, more available, and essential
Education is available to the student any convenient time and place

31. 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

32. 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

33. Do you think standardized tests truly measure student achievement
Do you think standardized tests truly measure student achievement? Why or why not?
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34. 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

35. 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

36. No Child Left Behind Act
Receipt of federal funds are tied to school performance
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continued

37. No Child Left Behind Act
Schools that succeed in meeting standards receive more money
Parents can move children to higher-achieving schools
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continued

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. Career Clusters
The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of: States’ Career Cluster Initiative, 2008,

42. 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

43. 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

44. What was the result of the case of Brown v
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

45. 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