Modern History of Education 1940 1970 School during

Modern History of Education 1940 -1970

School during the 1940 s-1950 s �First half of the 40 s was dominated by WWII Jobs created for women and African Americans �Baby Boom Surge in the birth rate after WWII �Fear of communism

Keeping America Competitive �Cold War Standoff that continued for decades between the Soviet Union and America No fighting actually broke out �National Defense Education Act 1958 Money available to improve scientific equipment for schools Encouraged to strengthen math & science skills

Brown V. Board of Education �“separate but equal” African American schools were not equal in funding � 1954 �Topeka, Kansas Board made argument that they were no equal in supplies and funding Board agreed and made the choice to desegregate schools � Some districts did – others delayed

Behaviorism �Definition: the belief that how a person behaves is determined by that person’s experiences. �B. F. Skinner Many educators embraced Skinner’s theory in the early 1950 s. Teachers rewarded behavior (gold stars) This way of thinking influenced American education for decades

1960 s �Baby Boom �President JFK �Neil Armstrong walked on the moon! (1969) �Vietnam �Civil Rights movement �“I Have A Dream” �Disadvantaged students (economically or educationally)

The Civil Rights Act �Many schools in the south were not desegregated �Civil Rights Act of 1964 Outlawed segregation in the US public schools and public places Some school districts continued to stall

The Elementary and Secondary Act �Lyndon Johnson � 1965 Sought to improve schools most in need Federal dollars were given to school based on the amount of poor children enrolled

Project Head Start �Began in 1965 �Designed to help preschool children from low- income families develop skills they need for success in kindergarten and beyond. �Today, the program is open to more families.

Desegregation and Busing �The Story of Ruby Bridges - Book �http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=PLCb. Sf 1 Ot. CM

Interview Assignment �Someone who was in school before 1980