Educational Reform Timeline
Should federal and state officials implement solid educational reform of higher testing standards and higher standards for instructors in order to better the school systems nationwide?
- 1958, National Defense Education Act
- This was one of the first times American government realized that American math and science education was lagging. Triggered by Soviet launching of satellite “Sputnik”, provided educational funding to American schools on all levels.
- 1965, Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- funding for primary and secondary education increased, also banished establishment of standardized schooling system.
- 1967, Education Professionals Development Act
- Required and allowed for extensive training for educational instructors.
- 1979, Department of Education Act
- Established United States Department of Education as a cabinet position within the United States Government.
- 1989, National council of Teachers of Mathematics published “Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics
- Reformed mathematics education to study concepts rather than specific equations and algorithms.
- 1990, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technologies Act
- Mandated federal funding and schools (at all levels) toward preparing student for a technologically oriented future in the workplace.
- 1994, Educate America Act (Goals 2000)
- Required individual states to submit applications describing the how they will create a school improvement program, and make subgrants to local schools. Set several goals for school nationwide to be reached by the year 2000.
- 1994, Improve America’s Schools Act
- Reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, added a heavy emphasis on low-income schools.
- 2001, No Child Left Behind Act
- Required annual standardized testing for students nationwide, grades 3-8.
- 2006, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technologies Act
- Reauthorized previous act of 1990, also strengthened connection between primary and secondary education.
- 2009, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- allocated over 100 billion dollars in funding toward k-12 educational institutions.
- Race to the Top Fund
- Prompts competitive education standards between schools, finishing the “race to the top” at number one will allow for a much heavier grant. This is judged state by state.
Duncan, Arne, “The ‘Highly Qualified Teacher’ Dodge”, November 12th 2009, www.NYtimes.com, January13th,2010
This article describes how “qualified” teachers are defined under the new “Race To The Top” funding act only to find that it is vague and states will have the ability to hire unqualified “professionals”. This article recaps the No Child Left Behind act and the current educational reform underway and seems to be against both policies.
Robelen, Erik, “’Race to the Top’” Driving Policy Action Across States”, December 23rd,2009,www.edweek.org,January13th,2010 <http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/12/23/16states.h29.html>
This article describes what state governments are doing nationwide for reforms in order to receive the highest amount of money possible for the “Race to the Top” funding; the article seems to be pro-Race to the Top and is from an education based organization’s website.
Shear, Michael, “Obama Discusses New ‘Race to the Top’ Program”, July 23rd, 2009, www.washingtonpost.com, January 13th 2010, <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072302938.html>
This article details a discussion of Obama and national press. I believe that I will reference this article for my essay and article in the future for quotes from the president pertaining directly to his new policy.
This details a conservative opinion on the Race to the Top program. The author has personal experience as “an advisor on educational matters for a midwestern state”. I value this article because it details this act’s predecessors and provides a solid and unique point of view toward the program.
Associated Press, “Lawmakers Scrutinize ‘Race to the Top’ grant”, January 13th 2010, www. Ktvb.com, January 13th, 2010 <http://www.ktvb.com/news/politics/Lawmakers-scrutinize-Race-to-the-Top-grant-81334272.html>
This article discusses the opinions of so called “lawmakers” and their lack of involvement in developing the application for the program.
Hammond, Betsy “Two Oregon School Districts Sign on for Race to the Top”, December 17th, 2009, www.oregonlive.com, January 13th 2009, <http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2009/12/two_oregon_school_districts_si.html>
This article reveals which Oregon school districts have signed on for Race to the Top. I find this article useful because it details local aspects of the program and what is happening in Oregon.
Hettleman, Kalman, “5 Myths About Education Reform”, February 22nd, 2009 www.washingtonpost.com, January 13th 2010, <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021703571.html>
A former Baltimore City School Board Comissioner discusses five common misconceptions about educational reform. This is inside experience and opinions about failed school reforms and also why people are sometimes fearful of these reforms.
Ramirez, Eddy, “Will Stimulus Money Lead to Actual Education Reform?”, April 9th, 2009 http://www.usnews.com/blogs, January 13th 2009, <http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-education/2009/04/09/will-stimulus-money-lead-to-actual-education-reform.html>
The basic reason for me choosing this resource is that it is a civilian’s blog with basically the same topic as myself. This is another valuable journalistic resource that I will be able to use in the category of public opinion.
This blog site has an almost daily update which will without doubt come in handy. It provides a good point of view from the Democratic side and pro-reform, pro-Race to the Top.
Donald, Ben “Race to the Top:The Obama Approach to Educational Reform”, November 11th, 2009, http://www.academicperpective.com, January 21st, 2010, <http://www.academicperspective.com/2009/11/11/race-to-the-top-the-obama-approach-to-educational-reform/>
An academic resource that details and breaks down each perspective of the “Race to the Top” program.
List of Timeline Resources and Links:
All of these articles will provide a valuable starting point for my research. They provide diverse opinions about Obama’s new reform policy (Race to the Top) as well as insight as to other previous measures for reform. Some of them also provide opinions of former school board commissioners and people with experience within the school system. Another provides a discussion including members of the press and President Obama discussing his new policy, which I believe will come in handy for my essay and article, I will be able to directly quote the President and his opinions on the new policy. Therefore I have created an initial basis for my research that will provide insight to my future writing.
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
-Henry B. Adams