Curriculum

During the twentieth century many kids were living on farms (Yates). The curriculum was delivered to students mainly through recitation. Teachers selected knowledge to impart on students. At the beginning of the 19th century grade schools started to become popular (Yates). The introduction of grade schools separate students by age to form classes; this was considered the most effective and scientific way to run school (Yates). Most children ended education before the eighth grade, and in 1918 only six percent of children made it to the eighth grade (Yates). States the developed books of curriculum and this approach was termed a factory model school (Yates). As the United States started going through the  industrial revolution the curriculum started to change in order to produce students who have the skills to work in a factory (Yates).

Curriculum through the Twentieth First Century

As the U.S moved out of the Industrial age new skills were needed out of the students coming out school (Yates). The U.S is demanding more expectations from students (Yates). The curriculum is moving away from factual knowledge and progressing toward conceptual knowledge (Yates). The U.S is changing their curriculum right now by slimming down in almost all subjects except english, math, and science (BBC). The new curriculum will not focus on how teachers should teach but on what skills students need to know (BBC). It is supposed to give teachers the freedom to shape curriculum for their specific students (BCC).

No Child Left Behind vs. Every Student Succeeds Act

In 1965 President Lyndon Johnson signed the No Child Left Behind Act. This law attempted to make education accessible and equal for all children of America (Korte). The law expired every three to five years, requiring congress to reauthorize it (Korte). In 2001 Congress became increasingly worried in the gaps in education and required schools to hold themselves accountable by using testing (Korte).  The No Child Left Behind Act was replaced with the Every Student Succeeds Act. Obama signed this Act because the No Child Left Behind Act was good in nature; however, it did not work in practice (Korte). The No Child Left Behind did not address Common Core, the U.S education curriculum, specifically in till later (Korte). Instead the act merged with state led curriculum (Korte). The Every Students Succeeds Act says states must remain neutral to the Common Core (Korte).