In a nation that emphasizes inclusive progress, its educational system serves as its foundation, and in the United States, education and prosperity take the progression hand in hand.
If we trace back, the country’s educational system dates back to the 1600s. Since then, we’ve come a long way and traveled many dainty roads to get to the education system that we have today. This is because the education provided was very limited, exclusive, and not very progressive, even for that period of time. Today, the States ranks 12th in the education index with the best education system in the entire world.
It all began in the colonial era of the 17th Century when the concept of schooling was first introduced. Before that, only a handful had access to education through private tutoring. The first public school was set up in Boston (which exists today) in the 1600s, and still, basic education was reserved only for selective children, and everyone who was not allowed to get an education had to fight their way to establish a change.
In the above-ideated context, EVERYONE is referred for the people of color, gender, the underprivileged, ethnic minorities, and the list may go on!
Only a select few individuals who checked off all the boxes had access to enter the premises. But as time progressed, women received access to study and were taught to read but were refrained from learning how to write for decades. This is because the education system initially had challenges as it was focused only on teaching religion, family, culture, and community rather than other disciplines that we now have.
Moving ahead in the education spectrum, teaching science and math was introduced much later in the curriculum, not because humanity hadn’t yet progressed in those areas at the time, but because the objective of those who created schools was to disseminate their religious ideas in the states along with having an inclusive growth of the community.
As the saying goes, “Something is better than nothing,” the northern parts of the country still benefitted from the curriculum that they provided than the south of the country, which did not enjoy anything till much later. It took until the latter half of the 18th century for education to
spread to the South. With that, common schools’ protocol was discovered at the same time. These schools taught children of all ages in a single classroom with a single teacher, and these schools were not free of cost. In exchange for their children being allowed to attend school, parents paid tuition fees, provided lodging for the instructor, or gave other goods. By the mid-19th century, public schools were totally in charge of education. Slowly and steadily, education became something that was recommended, then later obligatory, for everyone as culture transformed, giving us a steady graph of progression.
Isn’t it amazing that we transgressed from an era of inaccessibility to achieving proficiency across all education stakeholders? But, like any other success, challenges always had been hovering around.
Let’s follow the trail!
After the dynamics of WWII, in order to spread the reformation of education and its importance, children aged eight to fourteen were obliged to attend school in 31 states by 1900. By 1918, elementary school graduation was made compulsory in every state.
John Dewey, the educational reformer, began the progressive education movement in the late 1800s and grew by the 1930s, educating children to attain their full potential. Later, with the adoption of the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ in 2001, the United States launched its current educational accountability/reform period. Today, the act is replaced by the ‘Every Student Succeeds Act’.
In contemporary times, the educational options accessible in the country allow students from diverse backgrounds to participate in the educational transformation. From private education to public schools, homeschooling to community college, the educational institution ensures that children can complete their education regardless of their circumstances.
With a literacy rate of 88%, the States has the most successful form of education due to the fact that the education system does not limit its grading system to test scores but also to research works. It aids in students’ general growth and concentrates on teaching the necessary knowledge.
But post-pandemic PTSD, students are finding it difficult to concentrate on schooling, and the rate of school /college dropouts is increasing at an exponential number. School can be a tough place, and with an unprecedented rate of change in curriculum design and information and technological innovation, student-teacher ratios will likely decrease, public education costs will likely increase significantly, and higher levels of government will likely take over control of the educational system from families and towns. These predictions are based merely on analyzing present patterns. It is estimated that if the current scenario flourishes, graduation rates will plummet, and learning will stagnate.
The country’s education construction sector always had a regression curve. Since its foundation in the 1600s, the American educational system has undergone major modifications, reflecting changes in the nation’s social life and culture.
Now, the United States spends more on education per student than any other country. With the pandemic’s severe repercussions affecting the vulnerable young students the most, it’s easy to return to a global education narrative that prioritizes access to school. Throughout history, we have witnessed vital measures being taken when necessary to accelerate education innovation, and it will surely be the scenario once again during this dire time.
We can truly make sure that public education plays a crucial part in rebuilding the world’s human and social capital and in preparing global citizens for the upcoming difficulties, no matter how big or small, that we may face in the future if we have the proper vision.
Undoubtedly, this societal envisioning includes a redesign of our educational system. But in addition to that, immediate measures, new regulations, and more financing for the situation may assist in deflating the situation slightly, but not completely. Providing a place to nurture students’ mental health and provide new space for them can be a mighty step toward a prosperous future!
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