Image: " Writing and Caregiving " by Seyed Abdollah Shahrokni and Janeanne Rockwell-Kincanon is licensed under CC BY

Overview

This module covers developments in U.S. education in the middle of the twentieth century.

Learning Outcomes

This module covers developments in U.S. education in the middle of the twentieth century.

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• Describe the contributions of key figures, events, and court cases in the history of American education from 1950 to 1980.

• Relate controversies regarding US education from 1950 to 1980 with similar issues today.

• Use a study guide to take notes from a video.

Learning Activities

• Assignment #4: Recognizing the Struggle for Educational Equality  

• Weekly Self-Care Journal

• After-Class Reflection

Learning Activities 

VoiceThread Discussion 3: Comparing Educational Controversies 

Goal: Discuss the historical impact of policies on the current education system.

Instructions: After reading this week's resources, respond to the two questions below

   Discussion Questions

1. From the resources, what’s one controversy (equity, busing, federal vs. local control, or bilingual education) that stood out to you?
   
   

   • Explain briefly what was happening in the mid-20th century (cite the video with a timestamp or quote).
     
     

2. How do you envision this issue manifesting in schools or education today?
   
   

   • Connect it to a current example (news, policy, or local experience) and share a personal reflection: How have you experienced or observed this issue yourself?
     
     

Reply to at least two classmates. You might:

• Point out a connection between their example and your own.
  
  

• Add a detail from the video that strengthens their point.
  
  

• Ask them a follow-up question about their personal reflection.
  
  

Assignment #4: Recognizing the Struggle for Educational Equality

Goal: The goal of this assignment is to analyze the impact of significant figures, court decisions, and legislation; connect them to your personal experiences; and evaluate their long-term effects on modern educational practices. You will reflect on the ongoing relevance of these issues, engage with complex ideas, and synthesize past events with current educational debates.

Instructions: 

PART A: Critical Reflection on Key Figures, Court Cases, and Legislation

Use your notes from the video A Struggle for Educational Equality: 1950-1980 to respond to the following prompts. Your responses should go beyond listing facts; reflect on how these individuals, events, and decisions shaped the educational system in the past and today. Feel free to revisit the video if needed.

Part 1. Major Figure in Education Reform

Select one of the following people and reflect on the significance of their contributions to public education in the United States. Instead of just listing their contributions, consider how their work challenged the status quo of education at the time and what its lasting impact has been.

• Thurgood Marshall

• President Lyndon Johnson

• Jose Angel Gutierrez and Severita Lara

• Dorothy Raffel

In your response, consider the following:

• What were their most significant actions or decisions?

• How did they challenge the educational system of their time?

• In what ways do their contributions still resonate in current educational policies and practices?

• End with a personal reflection: How does their story connect to something in your own schooling or community?

Part 2. Court Decisions and Legislation

Select one

• Civil Rights Act, 1964

• Title IX

• ESEA (Elementary & Secondary Education Act), 1965

• Lau v. Nichols, 1974

• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), 1976

In your response, consider:

• What were the key issues that led to these decisions or legislation?

• What long-term challenges or unintended consequences came out of it?

• How is it still shaping education today?

• Include at least one specific modern example (policy, school practice, or controversy).

Part 3. The Brown v. Board Decision and Its Impact on Topeka Schools

Reflect critically on the effects of the Brown decision. In your one-paragraph response, go beyond summarizing the effects; analyze how the decision’s implementation and outcomes influenced both educational reform's positive and negative aspects.

• The Positive Effects
  Discuss the gains made in terms of racial integration and educational equity. How did Brown contribute to dismantling segregation and opening doors for marginalized communities?

• The Unintended Negative Consequences
  Consider the challenges and setbacks faced as a result of the Brown decision. Did it fully address systemic inequalities, or did it bring about new issues? Reflect on the complex realities of desegregation and integration.

• Tie your response to either a class reading, your own school memories, or a modern news story about desegregation/integration.

Weekly Journal Self-Care for Future Educators: Make Taking Care of Ourselves a Priority

Teaching is deeply meaningful work, but it can also be emotionally, mentally, and physically demanding. One of the most important professional habits you can build now, as a future educator, is the ability to care for yourself with intention. Sustainable teaching begins with sustainable you.

Why Self-Care Matters in Education

As teachers, we support students through academic challenges, emotional stress, life transitions, and moments of growth. To do this well, we need to nurture and protect our own well-being. Self-care is not indulgent; it’s an essential part of ethical and responsible teaching. When you care for yourself, you:

• Strengthen your resilience and emotional regulation

• Model healthy habits for your students

• Improve your creativity, patience, and decision-making

• Build longevity in the profession
  
  

Your Self-Care Journal 

Throughout the module, you are invited to keep a simple Self-Care Journal. Make a copy of this Google Document and download the copy. Your journal’s purpose is to record one activity that you are doing to take care of yourself each week. We need to develop habits of self-care so that it can become part of our practice. The suggested prompts are provided to help you get started. If you are doing something else than the suggested activity, then add it to your journal. In your After-Class Reflection, report what you are doing each week as a self-care practice. 

Week 4 –After Class Reflections

Goal: The goal of this activity is to gather feedback on your understanding of concepts each week and address any questions you may have related to the content and instructions. This is considered a form of formative assessment. 

Instructions: Please complete the survey.