Education: Contemporary Perspectives

A Nation at Risk 1983- Regan Elected in 1980

  • A small document that greatly shifted the prospective direction of American Education

  • The federal government does not control education, the states do. Common Core State Initiative was made by a collection of States

  • The A Nation at Risk document outlined in plain English the shortcomings of the American education system. The document cites a myriad of specific educational shortcomings.

  • Referenced the Sputnik incident which shifted the school curriculum to emphasize math and science more.

  • Regan responded to the report by opening the Department of Education.

  • 1988 (Bush) America 2000, 1992 (Clinton) Goals 2000, 2001 (Bush Jr) No Child Left Behind, Obama, Trump, Biden, and now Trump will also utilize the NCLBA.

No Child Left Behind 2001

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

  • Accountability, Hight Stakes Testing, Highly Qualified Teachers, Aides, School Choice with vouchers and charter schools.

  • Both students and educators held accountable by law.

  • Testing among students that showed deficiency were placed into remedial classes, which helped to give students more help.