The American Progressive Period
1880-1921
Main Point about Education
In the beginning of this period, children worked in factories with their parents. This limited educational opportunities. Then Progressive passed laws that reduced the number of hours children worked in factories, and By 1920 all states had laws that required children to attend elementary school.
Role of Teacher
Teachers were considered professionals. They wanted freedom in the classroom to expand lessons and make them fun/creative.
Schools Curriculum
At this point schools were still segregated. African American children had to attend separate public schools and received less funding. Many felt that the curriculum was too standardized and that students should be encouraged to think critically and independent rather than simply memorize information.
Timeline
1887
John Dewey published
his first book on education.
1896
Plessy vs Ferguson
(allow "separate but
equal" policy in schools.
1899
Uniform textbook
state law passed
1909
A compulsory school
attendance law passed
1917
Smith Hughes law of
national vocational education
act