| Abstract: |
Overwhelming scientific and anecdotal evidence indicates that the elementary school experience significantly shapes children's lives. This report examines the history of elementary education, and describes alternatives such as nongraded schools. The first part of the report describes the roots of elementary education in the United States, highlights the role of the blackboard as facilitating group instruction, and describes the emergence of elementary school as a distinctive institution. It also discusses the characteristics and impact of the progressive movement, the impact of Sputnik on American education, and the "back to basics" movement. The report identifies "giant steps backward" in American elementary education. The second part of the report provides an overview of educational alternatives at the elementary level, with a focus on nongraded programs. It describes the educational goals, organizational framework, curriculum, and teaching methods for nongraded programs. Individually guided education is described as an outgrowth of nongraded programs. The report also describes the characteristics of magnet schools. Concluding that new models for elementary education may be proposed to meet the new demands and address the changing characteristics of American life, the report suggests that technology, national standards, interdisciplinary instruction and charter school are promising trends for elementary education in the near future. Contains 24 references. (Author/KB) |
