Progressive Era
1900s Education Standards
Progressive education emerging. Emphasis on learning by doing alongside traditional methods.
6
Standards
27
Hours/Week
48
Total Skills
8th
Grade Level
Progressive reform era. Mass immigration shaped urban schools. Industrial economy demanded practical skills.
Key Characteristics
- Child-centered education emerging
- Manual training movement
- Standardized textbooks spreading
- High school attendance growing
- Immigration driving urban schools
Notable Educators
- John Dewey
- Ella Flagg Young
- Francis Parker
Standards by Subject
Advanced arithmetic with introduction to algebra. Strong emphasis on commercial applications and practical problem-solving for the industrial age.
Literary appreciation combined with practical reading skills. Strong emphasis on American and British classics with continued oral reading traditions.
Structured composition instruction covering multiple essay types. Grammar remained central with continued emphasis on sentence diagramming.
Survey of American history with emerging attention to social and economic factors alongside political history. Progressive themes appeared.
Broad introduction to scientific principles covering physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science. Nature study movement influenced instruction.
World geography with emphasis on physical geography, human geography, and commercial relationships. Maps and atlases central to instruction.
McGuffey's Eclectic Readers (Complete Set)
The most widely used reading textbooks in American history (1836-1960). Teaches reading through classic literature, moral lessons, and phonics. Used by an estimated 120 million Americans.
Ray's Arithmetic Series (Complete)
America's most popular math curriculum from 1834-1913. Emphasizes mental math, practical word problems, and mastery before advancing. Known for producing exceptional math skills.
The Story of the Greeks
Narrative history of ancient Greece written for young readers. Engaging storytelling approach.
Tarr and McMurry Geographies
Comprehensive geography series emphasizing physical geography and human-environment interaction.