EDG4376 Reflection #2

The Progressive Movement occurred in America during the last part of the nineteenth century. A major aspect of US history that revolutionized the educational institution, the Progressive Movement has definitely impacted the Social Studies curriculum and the integrated curriculum movement in schools today. For one, the Progressive Movement was intertwined with Reconstruction, in which women’s rights, the temperance movement, and the farm movement all added to the major changes going down in history. Muckrakers publicized the dreadfulness of America’s urban slums, terrible factory environment and child labor; the citizens knew that reform was necessary. In 1887, the Interstate Commerce Act was passed, followed by the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890. These two laws, along with the new amendments added to the Constitution, began a series of successes for advocates of Reconstruction and the Progressive Movement. The ultimate trickle-down effect resulted in Progressive education, which aimed for a more democratic school environment. Progressive education focused on respect for diversity, spawned by the Civil Rights movement. In an attempt to reform the evils of society, supporters sought to use the educational system to mold young people into model citizens and create a better future for America.
All of these incidents made a significant impression on United States history. Today, all students in schools across the country learn about Reconstruction and the Progressive Movement in their Social Studies classes. Furthermore, these momentous events can easily be integrated into any subject area curriculum. Educators can utilize the topic of Progressive Education as inspiration for Women’s History month. They can also teach their students about slavery, the civil rights movement, and how discrimination and prejudice still sometimes haunt America. Children can be educated about how to avoid injustices in the workplace. We can all work together to learn from our history; how to take the good from the past and steer clear of repeating the bad. Since the Progressive Education Movement has shaped our country, we cannot disrespect ourselves as American citizens by ignoring it, and we have a responsibility to pass our knowledge down to our children.