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Part IV: The Bottom Line 1980 to 2000

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 School Choice BACKGROUND ON EDUCATION REFORM Historically, our country has been critical of the school system and student performance. In the 1970s, test performance was poor and a presidential commission assessed public schools. In Part IV of School: The Story of the American Public Education , we learn that by the 1980s, a majority of the population was enrolled in schools. But, politicians claimed there was a “learning crisis” and urged competition between schools (page 184). The report, A Nation at Risk , gave data supporting the claim that test scores were too low. This report said that education reform is needed for economic security. Educators and teachers argued against these reports. Consequently, schools ended up having longer days, additional homework, and traditional courses.  WHAT DOES SCHOOL CHOICE MEAN? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines school choice as a “policy in which students are given the choice to attend a school other than their district’s public school.”
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Part III: Separate and Unequal 1950 to 1980

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INTRODUCTION              The book, School: The Story of American Public Education, explains the various changes the education system in America has undergone. In Part III, Separate and Unequal, the author discussed separations in the education system from 1950 to 1980. A major separation that affected the country was segregation. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that segregation was constitutional and the facilities are equal. However, this was proven to be false by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). These separate schools and facilities were not equal and colored schools often had no funds. Without funds, they did not have access to proper education and supplies.  SEPARATE AND EQUAL: SHOULD THIS BE AN OPTION TODAY? I argue that separate but equal is not a viable option in today’s society. Without diversity and being exposed to students from multiple social, racial, and economic backgrounds, we would lose the opportunity to learn about ot
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Part II: As American As Public School 1900 to 1950

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EDUCATING ALL TYPES OF CHILDREN One of the best ways to educate all types of children, regardless of economic and/or racial status, is by incorporating multiple teaching techniques into course lessons. I think it is also important to not focus on pushing one belief on students. For example, in Part I of School: The Story of American Public Education, the author mentioned that at the start of the common school system, many immigrants were hesitant to attend because they were forcing all students to practice and learn about one religion. In Part II, As American As Public School , we learned that after World War I, as immigration drastically increased, intelligence testing was implemented to assign students to ability groups. However, these I.Q. tests demonstrated differences in scores between racial groups. Consequently, intelligence test scores were used as propaganda to try and restrict immigration.  For educators, it is important to consider the various learning styles when planning l
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Part I: The Common School 1770 to 1900

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 Division or Unification? Part 1 of School: The Story of American Public Education discussed the development of common school systems in America. From what I have read, I would argue that despite the attempts to unify the people, public education ended up dividing the United States and causing several conflicts. During our group meeting, my classmates and I brought up the fact that despite Thomas Jefferson arguing that “all” Americans be educated, there were still groups of people that were excluded. On page 22, Jefferson said that “the survival of the democracy depended on educating all Americans.” This was a step to bring citizens together and educate them; however,  several Americans refused to get an education and instead focused on work and industries.  Another reason why I would argue that the early years of education divided America is that the rise of common schools also created a rift in society because of religion. During the 1800s, immigration numbers increased. By 1840, ha
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