History of American Education

Still a relatively young country by historical standards, the United States has undergone remarkable changes since its first settlers arrived. From colonial society, through the fight for independence, and on to the challenges of an industrial economy and world wars, Americans have remained committed to public education.

In the twenty-first century, the challenges of a digital age—like the revolutions of the past—have forced Americans to evaluate and reform schools. It is important to explore the history of the American educational system through three movements related to U.S. growth that affected education. It is equally worthwhile to explore the impact of digital technologies on teaching and learning in the present and in the future.

This resource provides instruction for users to:

• Identify three educational movements
• Explain the relationship between American historical and social foundations
• Describe several implications of the 1966 Coleman Report for today's American public schools
• Implement a technology-rich lesson in place of a traditional lesson
• Analyze the changes that happen in classrooms when teachers engage students in technology-rich lessons