History of US Public Education

Measurement Movement

The measurement movement was sparked when Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon started to measure human intellagence. This movement created what we know as the IQ test. This allows us to to determine if a student needs to be placed in a special program to help with their learning or for students that are advanced for thier age. In 1920, Thordike and Terman began using achievement tests. They established norms for math, reading, and other subjects. These test were also used to identify students that were above and below average intellecutally.

Brown vs. Board of Education

This case changed the way segregation was done in public schools. Before this case, it was acceptable for blacks and whites to go to seperate schools as long as the facilities and education was comparible. The judge that ruled on the case stated that sending African-American children to a different school makes them feel inferior and can have lasting effects on their educational outcomes. He concluded that “in the field of public education, the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” This case was considered a milestone in civil rights history and brought awareness to racial inequities and struggles.

National Defense Education Act

Why did the NDEA start?

What did the NDEA do?

Why did the NDEA start?

The NDEA was started in response to the launch of Sputink by the Russians. The U.S. was concerned about keeping up with Soviet Union in the areas of science and technology. It was created in order to enhance and strengthen the American school system through funds and encourage students to pursue education beyond high school.

What did the NDEA do?

The NDEA had many important parts.

Title II of this program provided low interest loans to needy students wanting to persue higher education, ecspecially in the areas of science, math, teaching, foreign language, and technology. These federal loans still exist today.

Title III supplied matching grants for schools to purchase materials to enhance their teaching of the specialty areas listed above.

Title IV was designed to increase the number of college teachers, as well as higher level education programs. It also provided fincial aid for students persuing higher than a bacholers degree.

Title V was put into place to help counsel, guide and test potential students for the college program that would fit their interests and abilities.

Headstart Programs

In the State of the Union addressin 1964, President Johnson declared a "war on poverty." The government had seen the effects of poverty and its impact on education. This program started as an eight week demonstration program designed to help break the cycle of poverty. Sargent Shriver took the lead and developed a comperhensive program, with a panel of experts, that would help communitites meet the needs of disadvantaged preschool children. In 1998, the program that started out as a half day program was reauthorized and expanded to a full day, full year program. This program, with its set of standards, helps disadvantaged students prepare for kindergarten.

Title IX

On June 23, 1972, Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 was enacted.

Because of Title IX, institutions that receive federal funding must provide fair and equal treatment of the sexes in all areas, including athletics

Title IX prohibited the decrimination of any student or employee based on sex within any federally funded institution

Title IX has also decreased the dropout of girls in high school and increased the number of girls going to college and completing college degrees

In 1972, there were just 30,000 women participating in NCAA sports, as opposed to 170,000 men. Title IX was made to correct these imbalances, both in number of students participating and the amount of scholorship money given

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This law makes available a free and appropriate education to eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services to those children. IDEA governs how public and state agencies provide early intervention, special education , and related services to these eligible children.

The purpose of IDEA is to provide a free appropriate education for students with special needs, tailored to their unique needs to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. It also protects the rights of the student and parents. It assists states states, educators, and parents with tools to educate the children with special needs and ensures the effectiveness of the efforts in supporting these students.