Assignment 2 - Module 2

 

Public School 1900-1950

  

  In the 1900s school were free and tax-supported so children can improve themselves and shape the future for America. This section was solely on the development of the school curriculum. It dealt with things that should be taught in school and how to have a safer school environment. School at that time was not safe for children and even getting to school was a problem. Children around the age of 8 left school to work or help out at home. Schools did not have teachers that were properly trained or knew how to really teach. 

As there began to be many immigrants in America between the 1880s and 1920, immigrant children started to attend school, and an immigration policy was developed. Most immigrants lived in the slums and poor neighborhoods that lacked sanitation so many schools in major cities had to apply programs that thought about hygiene practices, health, how to be an American, and also English. There were even adult classes and classes for children with disabilities. As immigration in America started to hit its peak many organizations tried to improve schools, living and working conditions. They were able to have fought for school administration with professionals to be in control of the schools. 

Furthermore, with time and improvements, school enrollments started to increase. New ways of educating children were being developed, especially for immigrant children and those who had poor English. Children were even left-back if they were not able to keep up. Just like in today’s school, failing a class meant that you would have to retake it whether it is grade school or college. 

School curriculum started to change to prepare children for jobs and skills after World War I started. First, there were tests that were taken by children to identify who will be future officers. This helped to develop the Army I.Q. test and various other tests. These were called intelligent tests and one being the SAT which means Scholastic Aptitude Test. This was a test used for college admission in 1941 and is still used today in 2021 although it is becoming no longer required for some colleges. When World War II started there was a teacher shortage and the school structure started to fail. 

In conclusion, this section basically tells the start of how the school system started and changed over time with things that are required for society and the American way of life. During the time period of World War, I and World War II the school curriculum changed to prepare children for jobs. The Great Depression would have been the cause for teacher shortage because it was prior to World War II. This time period would have affected schools because unemployment was very high, people were homeless, and weren’t making enough money to pay for anything. When World War II started the schools were held back up with a change in the curriculum preparing children for jobs and skills. This made a lot of sense because the War was what reshaped America and schools being changed because that was necessary for the time period.