The educational trends in educational philosophies are cyclical

Analyzing the timeline of the educational philosophies and indicating the main trends in them, it can be stated that most educational trends are cyclical.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The educational trends in educational philosophies are cyclical specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance, the philosophical trends in the development of the public education system of the United States were cyclical in terms of emphasizing the needs of society or needs and interests of students, approach to testing the students’ learning achievements and including or non-including religious studies into the curriculum. As to the main principles defining the structure of the school curriculum, the educational philosophies regulating this problem in the United States were cyclical. For instance, in the nineteenth century, in the frames of segregated education program, education was appreciated as a possible way to the i mproved quality of life of individual students (Mondale Patton, 2001). Later on, the Progressive reform in the early twentieth century offered increased vocational education and shifted emphasis towards preparing children for life in a democratic society. John Dewey as the main theoretician of progressive education emphasized the importance of narrowing the gap between theory and practice and criticized the child-study movement. This tendency continued in the 1950s during the Space Race when the National Education Defense Act of 1958 emphasized the role of math and science in the school curriculum to meet the needs of the state. However, with the growing popularity of home schooling and unschooling movements within the recent years, it can be stated that currently more emphasis is put upon the actual needs and interests of a child. Another example is the restored popularity of Montessori educational system. This system which was based on the principles of fostering the childrenâ₠¬â„¢s natural willingness is dated back to the early twentieth century. Currently, after a century break, this system gains popularity among educators.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More With the increased popularity of home schooling and unschooling movements, it can be stated that the importance and value of standard testing is currently denied by the followers of these educational philosophies. Franciosi (2004) noted that since the middle of the nineteenth century, standardized school testing has been regarded as a tool of accountability for public schools (p. 9). After the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the importance of preparing students for standard tests in reading and maths has been emphasized. However, analyzing the increased amount of students who make transitions to unschooling strategies, it can be stated that the current trend is to deny the effectiveness of testing for evaluating the effectiveness of educational models and students’ learning outcomes. The trend of inclusion or non-inclusion of religious studies into the school curriculum was cyclical. At the beginning of the struggle for the public tax-supported schools, Horace Mann promoted the idea of creating nonsectarian public schools (Alexander Alexander, 2005, p. 26). The reformers offered to exclude sectarian comments from the school curriculum, but to preserve the readings of the Bible without any sectarian comments on it. Currently, a lot of home schooling or unschooling programs are based on certain religious programs. Therefore, the trend to include the religious studies into the curriculum gains popularity in the twenty first century. As it can be seen from the historical analysis of the educational philosophies adopted by the United States, the educational trends are cyclical and can denied in certain periods of time, but later gain popularity and be accepted by educators. Re ference List Alexander, K. Alexander, D. (2005). American public school law. Belmont, CA: Thomson West Publishing.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The educational trends in educational philosophies are cyclical specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Franciosi, R. (2004). The rise and fall of American public schools: The political economy education in the twentieth century. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. Mondale, S. Patton, S. B. (eds.). School: The story of American public education. (2001). Boston, MA: Beacon Press. This essay on The educational trends in educational philosophies are cyclical was written and submitted by user Elle Spears to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.