1. The Multicultural History of American Education: Early School Reform & Progressivism
September 14, 2010
EDU 224
Trisha Wilson
Cameron Winchester
Sonny Bugarin
Anne Staudinger

2. Committee of Ten Established in 1892 to standardize high schools
Planned to raise standards for high school students
Traditional and classical courses would be taught
High school would offer less electives
Carnegie units were used in evaluating student progress
Students who performed well could enter college early
Sadker, D. M., & Zittleman, K. (2008). Teachers, schools, and society: A brief introduction to education (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill

3. Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education
The NEA established a set of principles in 1918 to answer the question: What can high schools do to improve the daily lives of citizens in an industrial democracy?
Seven Goals for High School
Health
Worthy home membership
Command of fundamental academic skills
Vocation
Citizenship
Worthy use of leisure time
Ethical character
Sadker, D. M., & Zittleman, K. (2008). Teachers, schools, and society: A brief introduction to education (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill

4. Progressive Education Association
Provided suggestions to help individual growth and social adjustment in the 1930’s
-More electives
-Guidance counselors
-Vocational programs expanded
Sadker, D. M., & Zittleman, K. (2008). Teachers, schools, and society: A brief introduction to education (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill

5. John Dewey
Known as possibly the most influential, and controversial, educator of the twentieth century.
American Philosopher, Psychologist, educational reformer, and atheist
Wrote on many topics, including nature, art, logic, inquiry, democracy and ethics.
 An elementary geography class at the Laboratory School started by Dewey at the University of Chicago.
Sadker, D. M., & Zittleman, K. (2008). Teachers, schools, and society: A brief introduction to education (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

6. Progressive Education
Dewey’s Core Program for Jr. High School
Grade
Core
Additional Required Subjects
Electives 7
English, Social Science, Science, Math
4 Hours
Health & PE, Foreign Lang.
2 Hours
0 Hours 8
Same as above
3 Hours
Health & PE, Science Lab, Shop, Homemaking
Art, Foreign Lang., Science, Etc.
1 Hour 9
Health & PE, Industrial Arts, Homemaking, Science Lab
Added major Subject e.g. Math, Foreign Lang
Not just about “reading, writing, and arithmetic” anymore
Psychological and social needs of students considered in the classroom
More diversity in the classroom leads to a greater demand for catering to individual interest
Student-centered education
Not widely accepted
Cressman, G.R., & Benda, H.W. (1996). Public Education in America. New York, NY: Meredith Publishing Company.
Sadker, D. M., & Zittleman, K. (2008). Teachers, schools, and society: A brief introduction to education (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

7. What does progressive education have to do with us?
Revolutionized modern thinking about education
Still follow a similar general plan.
Gives opportunities
The benefits can’t be denied
Eight Year Study