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Education in the United States: It’s Historical Roots. Do you feel that education in our country is unique?. Our Education = Unique. Organize schools Content we teach Teaching methods All differ from those in other countries. The Colonial Period (1607-1775).
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Education in the United States: It’s Historical Roots Do you feel that education in our country is unique?
Our Education = Unique • Organize schools • Content we teach • Teaching methods • All differ from those in other countries
The Colonial Period (1607-1775) • American education – Jamestown colony • Religion – integral part of colony • Schools were formed to convert people to their religion • Schools – reflected settlers’ values & beliefs • Schools – wealthy white males
The Colonial Period (1607-1775) • 3 colonies • Southern • Private tutors • Middle • Different religious groups form schools • New England • Schools – heavily based on religion • Most influence on today’s controversy in schools • All schools – memorization & recitation
The Colonial Period (1607-1775) • Most classrooms – unpleasant • Teachers – mostly males • Massachusetts Act of 1647 (Old Deluder Satan Act) – designed to produce citizens who understood the Bible. Every town of 50+ to hire a teacher of reading & writing • Birth to the idea that public education could contribute to the greater good of our country. • Public support of education
The Colonial Period (1607-1775) • European Influence – more humane, child-centered & practical views • Legacy • Source of inequality • Foundation for public support & local control of school (after Act) • Relationship between religion & education
The Early National Period (1775-1820) • Answers our questions on the differences of education from state to state. • Before 1775- U.S. looked to Europe for trade & ideas • National Period – colonies became the USA, Constitution & the Bill of Rights
The U.S. Constitution • 27 Amendments • 1st 10 – Bill of Rights • 1st Amendment – “establishment clause” prohibited government from passing legislation to establish any one official religion over another • Separation of Church and state
Separation of Church and State • Discussion
The U.S. Constitution • 10th Amendment • Areas that are not explicitly assigned to the federal government would be the responsibility of each state. • Removed federal government from a central role in running & operating schools • Gave responsibility to individual states
The U.S. Constitution • To support states’ efforts, Congress passed the Land Ordinance of 1785. • At that time, Congress had no power to tax Americans • This raised money by selling land in territories west of the original colonies with income from one section reserved for support of public education • Sometimes the lines are blurry between state & federal
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • Still largely reserved for the wealthy • Public Schools • Federal, state & local taxes • Salaries • Buses • Schools • Student lunches • Grade level • Content • Licensed
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • Making Education Available to All • Private & “quasi” public education • Public – often charged partial tuition • States – didn’t coordinate their efforts – education = uneven • Common School Movement – historic attempt to make edu. Available to all
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • Important Events • States & local government directly taxed citizens • States created state education departments & appointed state superintendents of instruction • Educators organized schools by grade level & standardized the curriculum • States improved teacher preparation
Expansion of the Common School Movement • Parents began viewing education as a way of improving their children’s lives • National & local leaders saw education as the vehicle for assimilating immigrants & improving national productivity • Industry & commerce were growing & required an increasing educated populace
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • By 1865, 50% of American children were in school • Elementary school = slowly free • Free secondary schools did not happen until later
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • Teachers – obstacles & challenges • Workload – heavy • Content – fundamentals – reading & math • Poor working conditions (building) • Lack of training (most elementary education only)
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • Improving Education • Normal Schools – schools to prepare elementary school teachers (2 yr) • 1st attempt to improve • Targeted – women • Content background & training beyond high school
The Common School Movement: The Rise of State Support for Public Education (1820-1865) • Elementary School • Grade levels
Evolution of the American High School • Comprehensive High School – secondary high school that attempts to meet the needs of all students (different curricular options, interest, ability level) • Before the turn of the 20th century – fewer than 10% = higher school education • Currently, 96% of teens attend high school
Evolution of the American High School • Benjamin Franklin • Academy – secondary school focused on the practical needs of colonial America • Shifted emphasis to practical curriculum (practical) • Removed religion from curriculum (secular) • Partially supported by public funds (public) • English Classical Schools – free secondary schools (boys not going to college)
Evolution of the American High School • Junior high school – popular until 1970s • Middle schools • Stronger teacher-student relationships = teams • Share information
Teaching & Technology • Projectors & filmstrips • Overhead projectors • Programmed & computer based instruction • Educational television • Hand-held calculators
The war on poverty & the great society • War on poverty – federal programs designed to eradiate poverty during the 60s • Education – increased federal funding • Support for learners with exceptionalities • The development of the jobs corps
The war on poverty & the great society • Head Start • Designed to help 3-5 year old disadvantage children enter school ready to learn • 1965 • Stimulate (encourage) academic achievement & development of low-income • Educate & involve parents in the education of their children
Equality • Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Prohibited discrimination against students (color, race or national origin) in all institutions receiving federal funds • Title IX – gender equality • Magnet schools – public schools that provide innovative or specialized programs and accept enrollment from students in all parts of a district • developed to integrate white & minority students