History of Education in USA - Research Paper Example

He realized that different student had different academic needs and advocated activities in his curriculum. Jefferson pushed a system of education which accomplished the base of strong foundation of universities and colleges. In 1786 Benjamin Rush presented an educational system which he hoped would meet the needs of democratic ideology. He was of the view that the sanctuary of a nation lies in a proper education. He advocated education for both men and women to understand the principles of democracy and to implement it properly.

Noah Webster, during his tenor, identified the need for schools to have text books in American language and experienced a conflict towards the British which they currently used. His unique achievement was American dictionary, which he created instead of following other dictionaries. The federal government has played its role to improve standard of education throughout America. They have strived to help citizen in getting better quality of education by lending extra money to those who need it.

Most of the credit goes to G.I Bill, National Defence Education Act (NDEA), and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), because of which many Americans have been able to get higher education. Granting federal land to the states for educational purposes started with the Northwest ordinance of 1785. The G.I. Bill of rights is the base which worked as a lime stone for providing educational benefits for veterans of World War II. The general aim of this legislation has been to compensate veterans for their services and sacrifices.

Many veterans took advantage from this Act and graduated from this program with prolific careers. Federal government also established number of schools for specific purposes and encouraged recreational education in acts as NDEA in 1958. Political dynamics laid hurdles in actions of federal aid legislation, but the situation changed when Soviet Union, rival of US created space satellite. Another act that promoted federal financial aids further, was ESEA of 1965. Where NSEA emphasized on science and math, ESEA responded to the prominent social change in society.

The ESEA related to President Lyndon Johnson's program "War on Poverty" encouraged special programs for children of poor families. In 1981 this act was named chapter 1 of Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA). (Christen Baylis-Heerschop, 2007).The National Service Legislation of 1993 (the National and Community Trust Act), and the Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (better known as Public Law 94-142) are merely current extensions of federal involvement in education that reaches back to American historical beginnings.

The 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Education Amendments of 1997 extended provisions of Public Law 94-142 to all citizens from ages 2 to 21. Provisions of both acts are under continuing review by congressional committees to clarify various provisions. The acts require inclusion, or placing students with physical and emotional challenges in regular classrooms. The 2005 funding reauthorization act, "Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities," expanded, defined, and clarified