Brief History of Education Reform A Move to Promote Equity and Equality

History of Educational Reform President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson developed presidential initiatives aimed at promoting equality and eliminating racial injustices. President Kennedy targeted science and space technology in his “New Frontier” programs. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s platform of the “Great Society” was aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice in the United States. In 1964 the national poverty rate was around 19% and he therefore focused his “War on Poverty” on improving education and healthcare programs.

History of Educational Reform Elementary and Secondary Education Act The ESEA was the first comprehensive education bill as a part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” which earmarked federal funds to local education agencies to improve education for the disadvantaged. The federal statute which funds primary and secondary education with an emphasis on professional development, instructional materials and parental involvement. This act is reauthorized every 5 years under different presidential administrations.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act Funds Title I -to assist local educational agencies to educate children of low income families. Title II - to fund school library resources, textbooks and instructional materials Title III - to fund supplementary educational centers and services. Title IV - to fund educational research and training. Title V - offered grants to strengthen state departments of education. Title VI - General Provisions

Amendments to ESEA of 1965 Title VI is renamed for Aid to Handicapped Children in 1966 and General Provisions becomes Title VII. Title VII- Bilingual Education Programs is amended to the statute in 1967.

A Nation At Risk In 1981, President Ronald Reagan commissioned the Department of Education to conduct an 18 month study of America’s public education system. The report released, “A Nation at Risk” denotes the “the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people.” The report seeks to generate reform of and to renew the Nation’s commitment to schools and warns that other countries are matching or surpassing our educational attainments.

Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 President Bill Clinton’s administration reauthorization of the ESEA of 1965 was known as “Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994” and added funds for the following: Charter Schools Safe and Drug Free Schools Education Technology

No Child Left Behind of 2001 President George W. Bush’s administration had bi- partisan support for the No Child Left Behind bill and was shepherded by Senator Ted Kennedy through the senate. No Child Left Behind of 2001: Enacts the theories of Standards Based Education Reform and Establishes Measurable Goals in Assessment Data. In order to receive federal funding each state must develop their state standards and create their standards based assessment to be given to all students in certain grade levels.

Standards and Accountability State standards are linked directly to student outcomes. Reading and Math are measured in grades 3-8 and at least once in high school. Focus on academic achievement of minority populations. Teachers must meet the “Highly Qualified” status.

Standards and Accountability Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Department of Education measures how every public school and school district is performing according to the results on their state assessments. If the school fails to meet AYP, then parents have the option to send their child to another school (school choice), have district pay for tutoring, or to partake of any school based educational programs, etc.