Space Age
1960s Education Standards
Academic rigor after Sputnik shock. "New Math" and science curriculum reforms. Focus on gifted students.
6
Standards
26
Hours/Week
48
Total Skills
8th
Grade Level
Cold War and Space Race drove educational competition with USSR. Civil rights movement began changing schools.
Key Characteristics
- Sputnik-driven reforms
- New Math movement
- NDEA funding for science/math
- Curriculum reform projects
- Discovery learning approach
Notable Educators
- Jerome Bruner
- B.F. Skinner
- SMSG reformers
Standards by Subject
Pre-algebra with introduction to modern math concepts. Post-Sputnik reforms emphasized mathematical rigor and abstract thinking.
Survey of American and British literature with increasing attention to comprehension skills and literary analysis.
Balanced instruction in personal and academic writing. Grammar instruction remained important while creative expression received increased attention.
Comprehensive American history with growing attention to social history and diverse perspectives. Cold War context shaped interpretation.
Rigorous science instruction influenced by post-Sputnik reforms. Emphasis on scientific inquiry, laboratory work, and disciplinary depth.
World regional geography with Cold War context. Emphasis on comparative study of world regions and emerging nations.
Classical Conversations
Classical homeschool community program using memorization, discussion, and rhetoric. Based on historical Trivium model.
Memoria Press Classical Curriculum
Complete classical curriculum based on the Trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric). Uses many historical texts and methods.
Veritas Press Classical Education
Christian classical curriculum emphasizing primary sources, classical literature, and the Trivium.
Great Books Academy
Online courses based on the Great Books tradition. Read and discuss primary sources from Western civilization.