How has the curriculum developed over the past 300 years?
In chapter five of "The Joy of Teaching," the authors display the timeline of education in the United States. During the Puritan era, higher education was primarily for the "well-to-do" individuals, while other students of the middle class would only learn how to read and write for the purpose of knowing the laws of the community. Children who were poor did not attend any type of schooling. As time went on, more laws were established such as compulsory attendance, a nine month schooling period, etc... Many different types of schools were being invented such as elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and later on early childhood schools. Now was the question of what was supposed to be taught in the schools that had so many students in them. Students were to be educated no only on subjects, but on being good citizens in the community. Clearly now-a-days, it is expected that students excel in their schoolwork as well as be model citizens to represent their families, their school, and their communities.
Psychologists started weighing their thoughts in on the newly founded schools and their effectiveness. One of the big issues was the junior high schools that many believed were just mini high schools that wasted the time of the youth. In today's day and age, it is expected that students attend pre-school, elementary school, middle school, high school, and some on to college. When these schools were being established many people were confused on what exactly should be taught in them and what purpose they actually served. Of course students of wealth were the only ones who could attend regular schooling in the Puritan times; however, as the schooling has evolved, a free and universal education is expected by Americans. This is a topic that is difficult to come to a conclusion on in this era because of the two polar opposite political parties in America that believe in different ways to pay for education.
No comments:
Post a Comment