Reflections on History of Education in USA and Hidden Agendas

   

  

Education has changed throughout the years. The History of U.S. Education has had a long journey from the 16th century to the 21st century. The first era the primary function of the school was to establish discipline and to teach readings so that children learned to read the Bible. Religion and morals were taught in school. After the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson wanted to improve the education system by improving the standards for education that on top of learning the bibles students should learn how to read, write and arithmetic. His idea for education was to give the opportunity for all kids to have 3 years of free education. The students who were deemed to be geniuses had the opportunity to continue 6 more years so they can earn a job as a minister or law. Benjamin Rush pushed for females to attend the education but this was more for proper class and education. They wanted to teach females their duties and have the basic writing and reading to have some power in their household. 

During the 19th century public education began to increase, there weren't many public schools or limited to the students who were considered geniuses. The importance of resources and the teacher's abilities to teach all ages and abilities. Before in the 18th century one book was used for each class and the only person who was able to use the textbook was the teacher but in the 19th century it expanded the resources. At the end of the 19th century, the U.S.Supreme Court issued a decision in Plessy v. Ferguson which discusses “separate but equal.” In education it started integrating color people into education without judgment but there was still segregation was present like different bathroom or different lines for whote v. color.
Now in the 20th and 21st century education is implementing the idea of STEM for each individual. They give opportunities for each citizen, immigrant and disability student with the chance of an education. Schools have to follow a strict curriculum to help students achieve their education. The curriculum is a standard-based sequence of planned experiences where students practice and scheve proficiency in content and apply their learning skills. It is the central guide for educators in their teachings to help their students to access rigorous academic experience for their grade level. In the midst of teaching the academic curriculum the teachers also address the hidden curriculum. The hidden curriculum

maintains order, how the students interact with their peers, what is right or wrong behavior, and the respect others should have toward peers and teachers. 

The reason why hidden and the academic curriculum is important for 21st century education is because it helps the students grow proficiently in intelligence and manners. A student who is aware of and competent in a school’s hidden curriculum and expectation has an advantage over a student who does not is the improvement of comprehension and work ethic. The hidden curriculum teaches positive characteristics such as dignity, humility, hard work, responsibility, and appreciation. These characteristics can have the potential to impact the student and even change their lives to become decent human beings. In life we need to be humble but also to work hard to achieve the goals and if students don’t achieve that mentality then their future isn't bright or successful.