1892 – National Education Association established the Committee of Ten. – It was developed to form a national policy for high school. The Committee of Ten was chaired by Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. – He wanted to bring consistency and order to the high school curriculum.

The committee recommended the following: – A series of traditional and classical courses should be taught sequentially. – High schools should offer fewer electives. – Each course lasting for one year and meeting four or five times weekly should be awarded a Carnegie unit. Carnegie units would be used in evaluating student progress. – Students performing exceptionally well could begin college early.

During 1918, the NEA gathered a group to evaluate the high school again. – The committee’s report (the Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education) identified seven goals for the high school… 1.Health 2.Worthy home membership 3.Command of fundamental academic skills 4.Vocation 5.Citizenship 6.Worthy use of leisure time 7.Ethical character The Progressive Education Association gave suggestions to promote social adjustments, as well as individual growth. In the 1940’s and 1950’s more electives were added to the high school curriculum. Guidance counselors were added to the staff.

The most influential educator of the Twentieth century Associated with the Progressivism movement While Dewey was trying to push for progressivism there was controversy and criticism from officials that were fighting against communism. Arguments raged, and the launching of sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957 put at least a temporary closure on the debate. The US was involved in a space race with the soviets, the race to educate scientists and engineers. Those arguing for a more rigorous, science- and math focused curriculum won the day.

Progressive education included several components. – Broadened the school program to include health concerns, family and community life issues, and a concern for vocational education. – applied new research in psychology and the social sciences to classroom practices – Emphasized a more democratic educational approach accepting the interests and needs of an increasingly diverse student body Before leaving behind progressive Education a study was done called the Eight-Year Study. This study was intended to determine which educational approach was more effective. The results from the progressive schools were: – Earned a slightly higher GPA – Earned higher grades in all fields except foreign languages – Tended to specialize in the same fields as more traditional students – Received slightly more academic honors – Were judged o be more objective and more precise thinkers – Were judged to possess higher intellectual curiosity and greater drive

Sadker, David Miller, and Karen R. Zittleman. The Teachers, Schools, and Society: a Brief Introduction to Education : Reader. Boston: McGraw-Hill, Print.