018_Curriculum History II
018_Curriculum History II
This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.
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18 1915 - Open Air School (at old North High site) 1916 - Spanish was added to the curriculum, taking the place of German which was taught in the schools up until the time of the declaration of war with Germany. Military training was given as a course for boys. The same credit was given for this course as for all other athletic courses. During WW I two new subjects were added to the commercial department. These were intensive stenography and bookkeeping. 1917 - Telegraphy 1919 - School for Deaf (Clarkson) 1920 - School for Crippled 1920 - Original Howe School for slow learners 1921 - Single salary schedule adopted 1922 - Detailed school budgets launched 1921 - 1927 - $6,630,00 bonds for Roosevelt and Lincoln 1928 - $1,975—teacher salary Depression - $1,600—1,200 average salary 1925 - Junior high established (three year) 1925 - Sub-junior classes for slow learners 1930 - Developmental B classes for slow learners 1930 - Annual testing program 1932 - High School Day inaugurated (students in businesses and industries — an early form of Career Education) 1932 - Home Economics curriculum included course in Family Relations 1933 - Public Forum Movement in U.S. began by Henry Wallace, one of the first leaders before he joined President Roosevelt's cabinet. 1933 - Eight-year study to determine how important college requirements for high school courses—30 colleges and high schools involved. 1937 - Distributive Education established at North High. 1940 - Office Co-op established at East High 1941 - Vocational Home Economics introduced into the secondary schools. 1941 - 42 - Tech High established. 1947 - Senior high classes for slow learners. 1957 - September—Board authorizes a formal program for gifted students in two elementary schools. 1957 - Modern foreign languages available to 9th graders. 1957 - German reintroduced to curriculum. 1957 - October 4—Russian launched Sputnik I. 1958 - Only teachers with BA degrees hired in Des Moines Schools. Board offices moved to first floor of Tech High from 629 Third Street. 1958 - Phonetic approach to reading introduced in seven elementary schools. 1959 - Classes for trainable (IQ under 50) established at Slinker School, 15th and Center. 1959 - Russian introduced. 1959 - Food Services reorganized—"satellite" food service began. 1960 - Distributive Education extended to all high schools.. 1960 - Library philosophy changed to have central libraries and certified librarians in all secondary schools. Plans made for elementary libraries with aides. 1960 - One unit of science and one unit of mathematics required for graduation. 1961- Notehand introduced in senior high. 1961 - Spanish available to qualified 7th grade students. 1961 - Foreign language labs opened at Roosevelt and Lincoln. 1961 - Large class instruction began in grades 9-11-12. 1962 - Three track system adopted for all students, grades 7-12, in English and Social Studies. The tracks were labeled "basic, general, and advanced." 1962 - Board approved public acknowledgment of students finishing in the top 3% and top 15% of each graduating class. Special superintendent's awards also were presented to students for exceptional work in certain fields. 1962 - Spanish, a compulsory course for 6th grade students, introduced as part of educational television via KDPS-TV. 1962 - Four area elementary bands and an all-city senior high band organized since 1957. 1962 - Language lab at East High School. 1962 - a 50% student increase in senior high foreign language from 1957-1962. 1963 - All elementary schools use the phonetic approach to reading. 1965 - Federal Programs launched—ESEA, Title I, II, III. 1966 - Head Start pre-school program launched by Federal government. 1970 - Office Education extended to all high schools. 1970 - Dropped tracking (Advanced, general, basic) in 9-12. 1972 - Dropped one-year requirement of mathematics and one year of science in grades 9-12 for graduation 1972 - Career Education coordinator appointed 1974 - Vocational agri-business program started at Tech High and McCombs Junior High