Early School Reform and Progressivism

1. Early School Reform and Progressivism Danielle Squires Griffin Gunter Tim Owens Darius Dawkins

2. School Reform • 1892 – National Education Association established the Committee of Ten. • It was developed to form a national policy for high school. • The Committee of Ten was chaired by Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. • He wanted to bring consistency and order to the high school curriculum.

3. school Reform (cont’d) • The committee recommended the following: • A series of traditional and classical courses should be taught sequentially. • High schools should offer fewer electives. • Each course lasting for one year and meeting four or five times weekly should be awarded a Carnegie unit. Carnegie units would be used in evaluating student progress. • Students performing exceptionally well could begin college early.

4. school Reform (cont’d) • During 1918, the NEA gathered a group to evaluate the high school again. • The committee’s report (the Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education) identified seven goals for the high school… • Health • Worthy home membership • Command of fundamental academic skills • Vocation • Citizenship • Worthy use of leisure time • Ethical character • The Progressive Education Association gave suggestions to promote social adjustments, as well as individual growth. • In the 1940’s and 1950’s more electives were added to the high school curriculum. • Guidance counselors were added to the staff.

5. John dewwy • The most influential educator of the Twentieth century • Associated with the Progressivism movement • While Dewey was trying to push for progressivism there was controversy and criticism from officials that were fighting against communism. • Arguments raged, and the launching of sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957 put at least a temporary closure on the debate. • The US was involved in a space race with the soviets, the race to educate scientists and engineers. Those arguing for a more rigorous, science- and math focused curriculum won the day.

6. progressivism • Progressive education included several components. • Broadened the school program to include health concerns, family and community life issues, and a concern for vocational education. • applied new research in psychology and the social sciences to classroom practices • Emphasized a more democratic educational approach accepting the interests and needs of an increasingly diverse student body • Before leaving behind progressive Education a study was done called the Eight-Year Study. This study was intended to determine which educational approach was more effective. The results from the progressive schools were: • Earned a slightly higher GPA • Earned higher grades in all fields except foreign languages • Tended to specialize in the same fields as more traditional students • Received slightly more academic honors • Were judged o be more objective and more precise thinkers • Were judged to possess higher intellectual curiosity and greater drive

7. bibliography Sadker, David Miller, and Karen R. Zittleman. The Teachers, Schools, and Society: a Brief Introduction to Education : Reader. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.