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Thomas Jefferson's Impact on Education
Thomas Jefferson promotes a two-track educational system for the "laboring and the learned" (Sass, 2017). Jefferson emphasized history as a major component of curricula, however we see his preferred curriculum involved preparing a person to be a good citizen (Carpenter, 2004). Jefferson realized the importance of education and that self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated enough to enable them to exercise oversight (Family Guardian, n.d.). -
The Tenth Amendment
Although education is not specifically stated, the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution states that powers not delegated to the federal government, are reserved to the States. Education becomes a function of the States rather than the federal government (Sass, 2017). When state governments and local school districts take the lead on policy, the educational system is more equipped to meet the specific needs of the community (Watts, n.d.). -
Horace Mann promotes universal Public Education
Mann becomes secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. He argues that education should be paid for, controlled, and maintained by the public. Schools should offer education to children from varying backgrounds, and education must be taught by well-trained, professional teachers. Mann's work prompted the development of "normal schools" to train teachers. He is recognized today for his efforts in transforming public education (Sass, 2017). -
Formation of the National Teachers Association
The association is founded by 43 educators in Philadelphia. Their mission is to advocate and fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse world (NEA, 2006). Their core values include providing equal opportunity, a just society, democracy, professionalism, and collective action. The National Teachers Association is now called the National Education Association (NEA, 2006). -
The Fourteenth Amendment
The "Equal Protection Clause" addresses many aspects of citizenship and the rights of citizens. This amendment has been used in a wide variety of landmark court cases which has affected American educational legislation. For example, the due process clause involves notifying students or staff of what they're accused of doing, and allowing them an opportunity to respond (Johnson, 2017). It has played a pivotal role in racial discrimination cases such as Brown v. Board of Education (Sass, 2017). -
Kalamazoo School Case
The Michigan State Supreme Court ruled that Kalamazoo may levy taxes to support a public high school (Sass, 2017). Justice Thomas Cooley rendered and upheld the decision of the Circuit Court. This decision set a precedent and opened the way for free high schools in Michigan and also in other states (Timmerman, 2012). -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Homer Plessy argues that an act of law in Louisiana, requiring blacks to ride in separate railroad cars, violates the Fourteenth Amendment. The US Supreme Court upholds the Louisiana law, stating that the 14 Amendment had not been intended to abolish distinctions based on color. As a result, the term "separate but equal" becomes a legal precedent used to justify many other segregation laws, including laws in the education field (Sass, 2017). -
Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark US Supreme Court case, involving racial segregation, which overturned the ruling in the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson. The Supreme Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. The court decision stated that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal" (Sass, 2017). It marks a historic step in the journey towards equality in U.S. education. -
National Defense Education Act
This act provided funding to U.S. education institutions at all levels, and was mainly influenced by the Soviet launch of the satellite Sputnik. In an effort to maintain superiority in the "Space Race" President Eisenhower authorized the NDEA to increase funding for scientific research as well as science, mathematics, and foreign language education in public schools (Sass, 2017). -
The Improving America's Schools Act
The IASA brings a host of changes to education including reforms for Title I, increased funding for immigrant and bilingual education, provisions for public charter schools, drop-out prevention, and educational technology (Sass, 2017). The IASA aims to improve education by setting high standards for all students, investing in professional development to prepare teachers, allowing flexibility to stimulate local reform, and promoting partnerships among all stakeholders (Riley, 1995). -
References
Carpenter, J. (2004). Jefferson's views on education: Implications for today's social studies. The Social Studies, 95(4). Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMNHr7ESep7Y4yOvsOLCmr0%2BeqK9Ss6m4TbWWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGutk%2B2prNJuePfgeyx43zx1%2B6B&T=P&P=AN&S=R&D=a9h&K=14222726 Family Guardian. (n.d.). Educating the People. Retrieved from http://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/ThomasJefferson/jeff1350.htm -
References
Johnson, S. (2017). The 14th Amendment protects individual rights in public education. Retrieved from https://www.concordlawschool.edu/student-life/law-day/14th-amendment-protects-rights-education NEA. (2006). NEA's vision, mission, and values. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/home/19583.htm Riley, R. (1995). The Improving America's Schools Act of 1994. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OESE/archives/legislation/ESEA/brochure/iasa-bro.html -
References
Sass, E. (2017). American educational history: A hypertext timeline. retrieved from http://www.eds-resources.com/educationhistorytimeline.html Timmerman, E. (2012). The Kalamazoo school case: Supporting high school education. Retrieved from http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/education/kalamazoo-school-case.aspx Watts, J.C. (n.d.). The Tenth Amendment. Retrieved from http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1158/The-Tenth-Amendment/
