Since the growth of school enrollments was increasing, what to teach became the main concern. The curriculum children were learning in school did not prepare them for jobs. "... and many school districts introduced numerous specialized occupational programs for children who were expected to become industrial and commercial workers, domestic workers, and housewives (pp.66)." Immigrants are usually placed in these classes, it limited those who were capable of more than working in a sweatshop. To determine who will be the fittest for a specific job, tests were created for people to take. Group intelligence tests were used to identify future officers after WWI, I.Q tests for public schools and SAT to enter college which started in 1941. Through all of this, the condition of public schools was atrocious, and many health issues that children suffered from. I used to work in a daycare center and the cleanliness of the classroom was extremely important. After breakfast, lunch, and dinner the staff would have to wipe the tables. Washing and sanitizing our hands back to back. Dress-up costumes, blankets, and stuffed toy animals were in the washer every two or three days. All the toys, building blocks, bathroom, cubbies, literally everything needed to be cleaned daily with bleach and water.
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| Children suffering from tuberculosis. |
Aside from the trial and errors with American public schools, it did bring educational opportunities to many people. "Its greatest success was its ability to expand and absorb millions of children, making elementary and secondary schooling nearly universal and providing educational opportunities to children across the nation (pp.70)." Children and adults learned things that were not taught or practiced within their home.
Kim I really liked what you had to say about the reading. I LOVED the West Side Story video, i actually watched that movie back in highschool, it was great. It is also crazy to see how bad cleanliness was back then compared to how it is now, since you mentioned your daycare job and the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
ReplyDeleteI love the musical West Side Story! Thanks for uploading the video I enjoyed the recap.
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the West Side Story song about the opportunities and limitations of life in America for immigrants (what a great song and musical!!)
You raise a good point with the whole issue of health and hygiene--a big topic for this period of history--so well illustrated by your picture of the kids in a TB sanitarium! I would add that with the construction of schools for universal education, sometimes the school became part of the solution for healthcare, especially where housing conditions were deplorable and overcrowded and tended to spawn disease that spilled into the schools. There are some very interesting histories and stories about how the schools became the center for hygiene and health services (with visiting doctors, nurses, etc). especially in large urban centers during this period.
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteYour post is enjoyable to read and am interesting in watching this film and fits right in with what we are learning. I realize how important sanatizing the classroom is to prevent any illnesses in the children and yourself. Its scary to think how many children suffered from tuberculosis and the picture is insane. I enjoyed your post kim :)