From 1900 to 1996 the percentage of teenagers who graduated from high school increased from about 6 percent to about 85 percent.
By the middle of the 20th century, most states took a more active regulatory role than in the past. States consolidated school districts into larger units with common procedures. In 1940 there were over 117,000 school districts in the United States, but by 1990 the number had decreased to just over 15,000. The states also became much more responsible for financing education. In 1940 local property taxes financed 68 percent of public school expenses, while the states contributed 30 percent. In 1990 local districts and states each contributed 47 percent to public school revenues. The federal government provided most of the remaining funds. During the 1980s and 1990s, virtually all states have given unprecedented attention to their role in raising education standards. |
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Change is upon us; this is a given. Our present academic structures, from kindergarten to graduate, modeled on the basis of the needs of an industrial society, are not longer functional nor adaptable to the needs of the 21st century. Merely seeking to reform them will not do. Radical surgery is needed, not just band-aid efforts.
The videos presented shows the contrast between 20th century education and 21st century education. In such rapidly changing times our educational system must change as well. |
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