The document discusses the major changes in American education from the Progressive Era at the beginning of the 20th century to the present day, including the emergence of compulsory schooling, expanded curriculums, and the development of teachers' organizations like the NEA and AFT. It also examines key events like the Soviet launch of Sputnik that influenced education reform, as well as the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that mandated desegregation of schools.

1. Modern American
Education
From the Progressive Movement to the Present
Chapter 7
Melinda Tompkins
Lewis Clark State College
mktompkins@lcsc.edu

2. The beginning of the 20th
century brought significant
changes in American social,
economical, political, and
educational life.

3. Things Were Changing
• In the dawning of the 20th Century. contemporary
American Education begin to unfold.
o Many of the ideas that characterized this era had begun to take form in the
last portion of the 19th century.
• By 1918, school had become compulsory in every
state.
• Programs were being developed and new
curriculum, beyond the ‘basics’ began to be taught
in schools

4. What Would Your Grandparents
Say About School?
How has the concept of “school” changed over the years?
Click on
Photo for
Video

5. N.E.A.
• In 1857 the National Education Association (NEA)
was founded. It’s goal was to "elevate the character
and advance the interests of the profession of
teaching and to promote the cause of education in
the United States.”
o It continues to be a strong voice in Education today.
View their website – NEA
Link available in the Module Folder
• In 1901, Margaret Haley became the first woman to
speak to the general assembly of the NEA. She
continued to be a leader and advocate for teachers
and the labor policies that affected them

6. A.F.T
• The American Federation of Teachers was founded
in 1916 and they lobbied extensively to improve
working conditions and increase the prestige of the
teaching profession.
• Still strong today, their goal is to “represent the
economic, social and professional interests of
classroom teachers”
• Ella Flagg Young, the first female superintendent
and president of the NEA, Catherine Goggin and
Margaret Haley played an important role in the
development of the AFT.

7. • The roaring 20’s was also the decade of the
birth of the Progressive Movement in
Education.
• Curriculum began to be student centered,
student driven, and attempted to create a
balance between collectivism and
individualism.
• Programs were being developed to serve the
needs of students
o School lunch programs, transportation,

8. Progressive Education in the
1940’s
• How does this differ from today?
• What do you think about the original
“progressive” for of education?
• Watch the following video --
AN INTERESTING OLDIE!

9. Compare and Contrast with today’s schools!
Who do you think might have benefited from this form of
education back them? Who do you think did NOT?
Click
Here or
on
Photo
for
short
video

10. The Way We Were
Another Great Short Clip
Click here

11. Educations From 1900's to 1950's
Video – 1900’s to 1950’s

12. Sputnik Era
• The 1950's escorted in a new political concern for the United States as the
Soviets moved into Eastern Europe and asserted control over the many of the
countries in that region.
• The United States believed its mission was to prevent the further spread of
Communism and dominate the Soviets in every aspect.
• In 1957 the Soviet Union, set off a shock wave in the United States with the
first successful launch of an artificial satellite called Sputnik.
• Almost immediately politicians blamed this failing on the American
educational system claiming it wasn't rigorous enough and that more
attention needed to be paid to mathematics and science education.
• The federal government appropriated millions of dollars for educational
reform.
An interesting fact – all of the focus on Science Education that prevailed in the
early 60’s shifted with NCLB. Students received intensive math and
language arts instruction and very little Science or Social Studies.
(You might find it interesting to read more about the Sputnik Era)

13. In 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that segregation
was constitutional as long as separate facilities were equal.
Since the 1930s, lawyers for the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) had traveled
throughout the South, gathering evidence to prove that
segregated schools were never equal and that black schools
were often desperately underfunded. By ending inequality
in schools, they hoped to bring down all segregation in
America.
In 1950, having laid a foundation of protests and
legal challenges, the NAACP was ready to take its
case to the highest court in the land. That year, the
NAACP enlisted thirteen black parents in Topeka to
serve as plaintiffs in the case they were building.
They advised the parents to try to enroll their
children in white schools near their homes. That fall,
the Reverend Oliver Brown walked his eight-year-
old daughter Linda to the Sumner School…
The case, filed as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, went to the Supreme Court, where it was argued by
Thurgood Marshall and other attorneys from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. They spoke on behalf of plaintiffs
not only in Topeka, Kansas, but also in South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. On May
17, 1954, Chief Justice Earl Warren announced the court’s unanimous decision: “It is doubtful that any child may
reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity…is a
right which must be available to all on equal terms. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal

14. Desegregation – Still took years
Ruby Bridges - 1960
The case, filed as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, went to the Supreme Court,
where it was argued by Thurgood Marshall and other attorneys from the NAACP Legal
Defense Fund. They spoke on behalf of plaintiffs not only in Topeka, Kansas, but also in
South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. On May 17, 1954, Chief
Justice Earl Warren announced the court’s unanimous decision: “It is doubtful that any child
may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education.
Such an opportunity…is a right which must be available to all on equal terms. Separate
educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

15. THE PROGRESSION OF
EDUCATION IN THE 1900’S
(In Three Minutes)
A MUST Watch – Click To View

16. So How Far Have We COME?
What do YOU think should be the
role of Public Education?
How should our students be taught?
What do you see as the Pros or Cons of the
Progressive Movement and how it has
influenced education today?
Positive or Negative

17. What About The Issues WE Face TODAY?
What is YOUR Commentary on This?

18. Your Assignment
• Create your own timeline of the History of
American education in this past century,
o 1900 – present and divided into 20 year periods.
• For each set of 20 years include the dominant
occurrences or movements that have affected
the development of American education as
well as the significant individuals for that time
period.
• Identify the educational focus for that time
period as well …….

19. Example of Some of the Info that
should be included
• 1900-1920 - Emergence of Progressive
o Education Movement John Dewey, Francis W.
Parker, Ella Flag Young
o Education was centered on the child.
o The notion of “learning by doing” was popularized.
o Schools took on a more democratic atmosphere
o The project method was introduced.
(This is considered a boring example! ) 

20. You May Be Creative!
You can create any kind or form of timeline as
long as the information is included.