This book presents a sweeping overview of the historical and philosophical foundations of schooling in the United States. Beginning with education among the indigenous peoples of the Americas and going on to explore European models of schooling brought into the United States by European colonists, the author carefully traces the arc of educational reform through major episodes of the nation’s history. In doing so, Janak establishes links between schools, politics, and society to help readers understand the forces impacting educational policy from its earliest conception to the modern day. Chapters focus on the philosophical, political, and social concepts that shaped schooling of dominant and subcultures in the United States in each period. Far from being merely concerned with theoretical foundations, each chapter also presents a snapshot of the “nuts and bolts” of schooling during each period, examining issues such as pedagogical devices, physical plants, curricular decisions, and funding patterns.

"Janak offers a pithy, fast-paced, and often humorous introduction to the history of education. In this one-of-a-kind account, he invitingly guides readers through some of the field's challenging terrain while piquing interest in learning more."--Jackie M. Blount, Professor of Educational Studies, Ohio State University, USA "This book's regular consideration of philosophical roots highlights the power of ideas in informing educational practice and reform in a given era, and its attention to legacies from the various historical episodes discussed encourages readers to view these developments as relevant antecedents to enduring educational problems." -Sevan G. Terzian, Professor, University of Florida, USA "This meaningful and concise work acknowledges distinctions within Eurocentric frameworks, while recognizing the valuable and diverse educational structures of indigenous peoples. Altogether a memorable introduction to education in the United States." -Benjamin A. Johnson, Associate Professor, Utah Valley University, USA This book presents a sweeping overview of the historical and philosophical foundations of schooling in the United States. Beginning with education among the indigenous peoples of the Americas and going on to explore European models of schooling brought into the United States by European colonists, the author carefully traces the arc of educational reform through major episodes of the nation's history. In doing so, Janak establishes links between schools, politics, and society to help readers understand the forces impacting educational policy from its earliest conception to the modern day. Chapters focus on the philosophical, political, and social concepts that shaped schooling of dominant and subcultures in the United States in each period. Far from being merely concerned with theoretical foundations, each chapter also presents a snapshot of the "nuts and bolts" of schooling during each period, examining issues such as pedagogical devices, physical plants, curricular decisions, and funding patterns. Edward Janak is Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership at the University of Toledo, USA. He is also the author of Politics, Disability, and Education Reform in the South: The Work of John Eldred Swearingen (2014).

Argues that as public schools became integral to the maintenance of American lifestyles, they increasingly reflected the primary tensions between democratic rhetoric and the reality of a class-divided system.

American Educational History: School, Society, and the Common Good is an up-to-date, contemporary examination of historical trends that have helped shape schools and education in the United States. Author William H. Jeynes places a strong emphasis on recent history, most notably post-World War II issues such as the role of technology, the standards movement, affirmative action, bilingual education, undocumented immigrants, school choice, and much more!

The underground history of the American education will take you on a journey into the background, philosophy, psychology, politics, and purposes of compulsion schooling.

The School in the United Statescollects the essential primary documents of the history of education in the United States. Expertly chosen by historian and education scholar James Fraser, these documents walk students through two centuries of U.S. education from Colonial America through present-day reform efforts. Each chapter begins with an introduction that contextualizes the selections and provides necessary background to the issues being discussed. In addition, each excerpt is preceded by a brief explanation, providing a solid framework from which to read and making them accessible to every student. Comprehensive enough to be used as a main text, but brief enough to be used along side another, The School in the United Statesremains an essential resource and textbook for any study of the history of American education. Updates to this fourth edition include: Aditional materials on current educational issues including technology in schools, charter schools, school shootings,and school privitzation, and standardized testing today New photographs and illustrations An updated Instructor's Manual and sample syllabi.

First Published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.