Schooling

Head Start Program

Founded in the 1960s as part of the “War on Poverty,” designed to serve the “whole child” by addressing physical health, confidence, social skills, and emotional development.

Montessori

An educational philosophy emphasizing self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and independence within a structured setting.

Reggio Emilia

An educational philosophy viewing children as capable, resourceful learners who express themselves through various forms (the “100 languages”).

Waldorf Education

An educational philosophy focusing on holistic development including imagination, creativity, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth, with a connection to nature.

HighScope

An educational philosophy highlighting “active participatory learning,” where children plan, implement, and review activities with teacher guidance.

Public School Funding (U.S.)

On average, 45% from local sources (often property taxes), 45% from state funding, and around 10% from federal sources, leading to disparities based on local property values.

National Average Spending per Student

$11,841$ (adjusted for regional differences) in U.S. school districts, with variation from -33% to +33%.

Access to Education Challenges

Obstacles preventing children from attending school, including conflict zones, remote/rural areas, extreme poverty, and legal/social barriers for marginalized groups.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

U.S. Supreme Court case recognizing the Amish right to end schooling after the eighth grade for religious freedom.

Homeschooling

The fastest-growing form of education in the U.S. where children are educated at home, often due to individualized pace, protection from negative influences, stronger family bonds, or distrust in public schools.

Unschooling

An educational approach emphasizing learning through life experiences rather than structured lessons, driven by child interest.

A Nation at Risk Report (1983)

A crucial report highlighting major issues in U.S. education, including declining academic performance, inadequate curriculum, lower standards, insufficient instructional time, and challenges in teacher quality.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (2001)

Federal legislation aimed to bridge the achievement gap through annual standardized reading and math tests for grades 3-8 and high school, with accountability for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

A metric mandated by NCLB that schools needed to achieve or face sanctions, used to measure academic improvement.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Replaced NCLB, granting states additional control over their educational standards and interventions while maintaining federal accountability with broader measures for success and support for diverse learners.

Common Core Standards

Aims to create uniform standards for educational outcomes across states, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and college/career readiness with measurable outcomes.

Physical Activity Recommendation for Children

Children should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity weekly.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Education focusing on key components like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

CASEL

A key organization in providing educational frameworks for Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

Comparative Education

The study and comparison of educational systems, processes, and outcomes in varied cultural contexts using quantitative (e.g., PISA results) or qualitative approaches.

Finland's Education System

Focuses on equality, accessibility, and student well-being, consistently showing high performance in international assessments (PISA) with a holistic approach.

Japan’s Education System

Characterized by structured approaches, cultural emphasis on discipline and cooperation, a curriculum reliant on rote memorization, and integration of moral education.

CPA Learning Progression (Concrete Stage)

Instructional approach involving using physical objects (e.g., manipulatives) to explore mathematical concepts.

CPA Learning Progression (Pictorial Stage)

Instructional approach where students use drawings or visual representations to cement mathematical understanding.

CPA Learning Progression (Abstract Stage)

Instructional approach focusing on symbols and numbers without concrete or pictorial aids, fostering theoretical mathematical understanding.

Literacy Crisis (U.S. 2022)

Reports indicate a decline in reading proficiency, with only 33% of fourth graders and 31% of eighth graders reaching proficient levels, and a decrease in reading for pleasure.