*Notable moments along the timeline*
- Americanization (Late 19th – Early 20th Century): Schools aimed to assimilate immigrants by teaching English and American values, sometimes using harsh methods like punishing native language use.
- Wounded Knee (1890): The massacre of Sioux by U.S. troops symbolizes the violent treatment of Native Americans during the Indian Wars.
- Women Teachers’ Struggles (1890s–1910s): Women, who made up most teachers, fought for better pay, job security, and autonomy, leading to the growth of teacher unions like the AFT.
- Progressive Education (1910s–1930s): John Dewey promoted democratic, student-centered learning, challenging traditional classroom structures.
- Civil Rights (1940s–1960s): Teachers were key in challenging segregation, especially after the Brown v. Board decision in 1954.
- Teacher Professionalism (1980s–2000s): Rising standards, such as the A Nation at Risk report and National Board certification, sought to improve teaching quality.
- Assessing Students and Teachers (21st Century): The debate continues over how to fairly assess students and teachers, balancing standardized testing with more holistic approaches.
These developments over the years since Americanization of the education system shows the continuous efforts to improve the quality of education, through evolving practices, while raising professional standards.
Public Broadcasting Service. (n.d.). PBS online: Only a teacher: Closeup: America’s teachers. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/closeup.html