A History of Education in the U.S.

An overview and assessment of education in the U.S. and the economic, political, and religious factors that have influenced the American Educational System.

Historical Influences

The historical goals of education in the U.S. have evolved over time. From the 1790s, schooling initially focused on instilling common moral and political values in the citizens of the new country, providing a uniting force and teaching all Americans about the values of their new nation. Over time, and in response to changes in the economy and in the political views of the country, schools changed as well. Schools began to be seen as the centers of the community and as an institution that would have a positive impact on the moral ills of society, from crime to poverty. Schools began to focus on preparing students to enter the workforce and to become productive members of society, to participate in the capitalist system, and to compete at a global scale.

Political Influences

Politically, education has been seen as a vehicle to prepare citizens to be informed voters. The Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, believed that education should have the primary role of promoting literacy among citizens. Over time, education has been used as a way to develop a common national identity by indoctrinating immigrants into American society and by sharing a shared national history and participation in republican government. While the focus of schools as a way to end crime and generally improve society has shifted, schools now focus on preparing students to become predictive members of society by readying them for careers and to compete for jobs in an increasingly interconnected and global economy.

Cultural Influences

Along the way, schools have developed as key cultural centers for the society. Schools at an early age promote soft skills which prepare students to work with one another, become managers and supervisors, and learn to obey rules and laws as productive citizens. Schools provide the public with key resources, teaching students healthy eating habits and providing food in cafeterias, encouraging sports and other team activities on campus to ensure that students build connection to one another and to their country. Schools also encourage the practice of moral behaviors, including sexual education and an environment in which teens can learn the dating practices and rituals of the society.

Technological Influences

Technology has played a role in ensuring that students learning can be measured effectively and students can be compared with their peers across the country. Standardized tests and the unification of curriculum under Common Core standards allows for the increased interconnectedness of teaching and schools. While the rights of local school control have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, Common Core standards and technology work to provide students with the rigorous “hard” skills they will need to find jobs and compete against students from India and China for employment in the global economy.

Economic Influences

The educational system promotes the growth of skills that can be used to compete in the global economy, become productive citizens, and increase students’ human capital. The ideology of human capital emphasizes high-stakes testing that sorts students into pathways for certain careers or higher education and evaluates the effectiveness of teachers and school administrators. Companies have sprung up to meet the needs of schools focused on preparing students as human capital, which continues a cycle of preparing students to participate in the workforce in order to purchase products which will fuel their desire to work hard to purchase more products.

References

Spring, J. American Education. [National University]. Retrieved from https://nu.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781351616553/