Education Reform- How You an Help

Youthbuild is an organization that is deserving of help. Senator Kristen Gillibrand has sent a letter throughout the Senate that may help increase government funds that go to Youthbuild. There was a cut in funds in 2011, which resulted in 50 Youthbuild programs to close in the United States. You can call, email, or write a letter to your member of Congress to urge them to support maximum government funding for Youthbuild. There is a sample letter at the bottom of the page of this link https://www.youthbuild.org/get-involved/take-action?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns You can send this email directly to your local members of congress. Many who do not have access to proper education live in poverty. Try to go for a day living off of only $2.00 or less. Do not buy anything new, and ride your bike or walk everywhere since gas costs money. The only thing you should spend money on is food. If you are eating 3 meals, each meal should be about $0.67. If you choose to eat two meals, each meal should be $1.00. For every dollar that you go over the limit, donate that amount of money to charity. Every time you catch yourself doing something that requires a proper education, such as doing advanced math or reading something difficult, donate a dollar. 

http://www.dol.gov/dol/grants/funding-ops.htm

http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/-gillibrand-and-maloney-tour-house-rebuilt-by-poughkeepsie-youthbuild-students-emphasize-importance-of-federal-funding-for-vital-job-training-programs

Education Reform Progress 1800-1999

The Education Reform movement has experienced many successes and setbacks since the 1800's. In 1821, the first public high school was opened called "Boston English High School". Before that, all schools were private, so not everybody had the opportunity to get an education. The African Institute (later called the Institute for Colored Youth) was opened in Cheyney Pennsylvania. Opened in 1837, it was the first institute for higher learning for African Americans.  In 1875, The Civil Rights Act was passed, banning segregation in all public accommodations, including schools. This lead to African Americans having a better education since they were no longer attending schools that were lacking in resources. In 1877 all Federal troops were removed from the south, which resulted in much more segregation and racism in the south. As a result of this, many African Americans fled to northern states. In 1929 the Great Depression caused government funding for the education system to suffer. This resulted in teacher layoffs, school closings, and lower salaries. In 1974, African American Students were moved to predominantly white schools by the government to achieve racial integration of public schools in Boston, MA. However, many White parents became enraged with this and protested. Although there were many successes and setbacks, the education reform movement has always had the same goal- to improve the quality of the education system. 

                                                A school during the Great Depression

Source: http://www.eds-resources.com/educationhistorytimeline.html

Education Reform- History

The education reform started in the 1800's because the only people who got an education were wealthy landowners who could send their children to private school or hire a private tutor. Everyone else would have to attend an overcrowded one room schoolhouse where 8th graders were taught alongside 1st graders. The school year was also nonconsecutive, and children may have only gone for a few weeks at a time due to having to work on the farm. People realized that this was not an adequate education system and that it needed to be changed. This addressed the needs of the schoolchildren to be educated. Horace Mann of Massachusetts became secretary of that state's board of education, and he believed that education was a child's natural right and that moral education should be valued.  The Common School Movement was a group of people that advocated for a better education system and supported Mann's views. In the 1820's, public schools began to become more common. In 1837 when Mann became the Secretary of the State of the Massachusetts board of education, the reform movement started. He was one of the first people to bring attention to the education system of that time. He increased state spending on schools, lengthened the school year, divided students into grades, and introduced standardized textbooks.

http://northwesthistoryexpress.com/timeline/education1800.php

http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/history/chapter9section2.rhtml

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/first-age-reform/essays/education-reform-antebellum-america

Education Reform Today

The education reform movement is both different and similar today than it was in the 1800's. Today The Education Trust advocates for low income students and students of color to have access to quality Colleges and Universities. People of low income and of color having access to post secondary school was a problem in the 1800's, and it still is today. The Education Trust helps schools effectively use data to improve the lives of students. They also work with state university systems to give extra help to students in financial need. The City Year organization realizes that 50% of students who drop out of school come from only 10% of schools. This means that students who drop out are concentrated in certain schools, particularly in high-poverty areas. They identify and target specific schools that are in need of extra support, and bridge the gap between what students need and what schools are designed to provide. Youthbuild recognizes that there are over 200 million youth worldwide that earn less that $2.00 a day, and that they are all in need of jobs, education, and opportunities that will lead them to productive and contributing lives. Youthbuild helps those in need develop leadership and communication skills, and they open up opportunities for people to get a quality education. This helps low-income young people to rebuild their communities and their lives, and break the cycle of poverty.

Youthbuild: https://www.youthbuild.org

City Year:http://www.cityyear.org/

The Education Trust:http://edtrust.org/