Understand the roles of the federal and state governments in shaping education policy; analyze the major social problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society; identify how policy changes reflect broad political changes.

The 1980s marked a historic shift in the role and direction of the federal government in shaping educational policy. With the election of President Ronald Reagan, the nation as a whole became more conservative. While the Great Society programs of the 1960s had sought to improve educational opportunities for the poor by increasing federal spending, the policies of the Regan era cut federal spending and instituted standard-based learning and assessment. The issues surrounding federal support, compounded by controversies over school choice, textbooks, and teacher accountability, remain matters of debate to this day.

• CA  11.11: 2, 6, 7
• TX  113.32 (15): d
• FL  SS.A.S.4: 8
• NCSS  V(HS): b-g

1 class period

• Activity Sheet, American Education Policy: Issues and Reform
• Timeline, Life in the United States: 1960-1990 
• Graphic Organizer, 2-Column Table
• Newspaper Article Rubric

Students have the opportunity to write a Research Report (see Extension below).

What issues have affected the American educational system from 1960 to the present?

Point of View Students will write a newspaper editorial expressing their opinion on one of the educational policy issues listed below. They will also create a political cartoon that illustrates their opinion on a specific situation or issue. Students will research the issues surrounding education in the U.S., as well as the changing role of the federal government in instituting reform efforts.

Have students research the topic using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

Depiction of a traditional American classroom, Iowa, 1939.

To start students thinking about the issues surrounding American public education in the 20th century, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• How does this classroom differ from the public school classrooms of today?
• What do you notice about the population of students? What might this tell you about access to education for minorities during the time period?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Assign one of the following education policy-related topics to each student.

• Education Reform (General)
• Curriculum Changes
• School Choice
• Federal Funding
• Private Schools
• Teacher Militancy
• Textbook Selection and Censorship
• SAT Scores and “The New Basics”

Tell students that their editorial should be 1–2 pages long, and should express their own opinion on the topic. Students should substantiate their opinions with historical facts and details. If time allows, students may wish to read their editorials to the class

Use the Newspaper Article Rubric to assess students’ performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: Which educational issue has most greatly affected your own experience in school? Why?

Expository Writing Have students use Daily Life through History to conduct research and write an essay comparing U.S. educational policy with the educational policies of another country.

Critical Thinking: ANALYZE