Chapter 6 History of the United States Educational

Chapter 6: History of the United States Educational System The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching Dr. Matthew Lynch Prepared by Dr. Corey Hall

Learning Outcomes • Examine the education practices of the early settlers in the New England Colonies. • Examine the educational influences of the 18 th century. • Examine the educational influences of the 19 th century. • Examine the educational reforms implemented in the 20 th century. • Explain the current state of educational reform. • Understand how education has been influenced by major social, economic, and political events. • Explain the history of equity and equality in the United States. • Explain the legacy of teachers in America. • Explain the influence professional organizations have on the teaching profession. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -2

What Were the Educational Practices of the Early Settlers in the New England Colonies? • Contemporary American education was influenced by practices that began in the 1600 s with the immigration of Pilgrims and Puritans. • Pilgrims: principally farmers that lacked formal education, and were driven to the New World by a desire to be independent of the Church of England. • Puritans: belonged to England’s middle class, were generally better educated, and wanted to bring about reforms and tolerance to the body politic. • Both groups wanted freedom to worship and practice religion according to their own beliefs. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -3

What Were the Educational Practices of the Early Settlers in the New England Colonies? • Schooling in the New World was structured around teaching religion, mainly to boys, and focused on proper conduct, devotional practices, and reading the Bible. • Laws regulating education were enacted in Massachusetts • Massachusetts Law of 1642 • Old Deluder Satan Act • New England was the forefront of higher education with the founding of Harvard University • Schooling in middle and southern colonies was focused on community initatives • Secular education was initiated through a process of changes, including dame schools and grammar schools The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -4

What Were the Educational Influences of the 18 th Century? • A shift from religion to science in the curriculum emerged in the 18 th century. • Elitist institutions were criticized and a more practical educational system emerged, including English grammar schools and academies. • Post-Revolutionary War education involved a move towards developing an American identity. • The federal government played a role in education through the Land Ordinance Act and the Northwest Ordinance. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -5

What Were the Educational Influences of the 19 th Century? • Increased involvement of states in education • State-sponsored secular education replaced religiously-driven education system. • The common school movement sought to promote equality and opportunity to students, except for minority students. • Initiation of professional training for teachers. • The Mc. Guffey Readers became cornerstones in the establishment of American moral values. • The Progressive Education Movement paved the way for education reform. • Increased support for public post-secondary education. • Outreaches were made to Native American and African American students, although great inequalities still existed The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -6

What Education Reforms Were Implemented in the 20 th Century? • Free, universal, compulsory education had developed deep roots. • The prevalent model of schooling shifted towards a six-three or six-four system. • Early childhood education underwent massive changes. • Education for all children was emphasized, including taking affirmative action that would ensure availability of education for all (IDEA). • Most states instituted compulsory attendance laws. • States played a more active regulatory role in schools. • Higher education institutions shifted to a more practical approach to education. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -7

Progressive Education in the 20 th Century • Embraced democratic concepts of participation and engagement of all citizens, respect for diversity, and development of an engaged population that could effectively participate in community affairs • John Dewey was the leader of the movement, and tested his ideas at the Laboratory School at the University of Chicago. • Cultural conservatism during the Cold War caused the disintegration of the movement, although it experienced a revival in the 1960 s and 1970 s. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -8

High School Reform • Vocational approach to education emerged during the 1949 s. • A shift back towards the basics occurred during the Cold War era, when the US felt threatened by the scientific dominance of the Soviet Union. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -9

What Is the Current State of Educational Reform? • Education under the Obama administration involves reform of the No Child Left Behind Act. • Test-based school accountability continues. • A continued emphasis on closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged and advantaged students and increasing overall standards of performance for all students. • Support for the Common Core Standards has increased. • Education has been impacted by our challenged economy. • Testing has many negative effects on students and learning, including narrowing of curriculum and sanctions. • The federal government can impose its will on state and local governments. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -10

Alternative Approaches to Education Charter schools Online learning Homeschooling Vouchers The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -11

How Has Education Been Influenced by Major Social, Economic, and Political Events? • The Great Depression had an adverse effect on the education sector, closing schools and shortening the academic year. • World War II had a devastating effect on education, cutting education budgets and increasing dropout rates. • Federal involvement in curriculum increased with the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and the passage of the National Defense Act. • The War on Poverty sought to improve the everyday living circumstances of the poor, including efforts to improve educational circumstances. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -12

What Has Been the History of Equity and Equality in the United States? • Racial equality was forever impacted by the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision, when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. • Gender equality was impacted by the passage of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in public and private schools receiving federal funds. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -13

What Has Been the Legacy of Teachers in the United States? • Colonial teachers were mostly male, European American, and young. Teacher pay was low and the profession was not respected. • In the 19 th century, large numbers of women entered the profession as a result in a fundamental shift in the approach to child rearing. • By the 20 th century, elementary teaching was a female stronghold, although men have slowly returned to the profession at both elementary and high school levels. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -14

What Influence Have Professional Organizations Had on the Teaching Profession? • The American Philosophical Society was the first organization dedicated to the pursuit of scholarship in the United States. • The oldest organization for teachers is the National Education Association, which focuses on growth and advancement of the interests of the teaching community. • The second largest organization is the American Federation of Teachers, which is impacted teaching conditions through collective bargaining. The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -15

Key Questions • What were the education practices of the early settlers in the New England Colonies? • What were the educational influences of the 18 th century? • What were the educational influences of the 19 th century? • What education reforms were implemented in the 20 th century? • What is the current state of educational reform? • How has education been influenced by major social, economic, and political events? • What has been the history of equity and equality in the United States? • What has been the legacy of teachers in America? • What influence have professional organizations had on the teaching profession? The Call to Teach: An Introduction to Teaching, Lynch © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 -16