One of the things that struck me most about this episode of "School" was that the issue of segregation and women's school rights were addressed almost 100 years before Brown vs. the Board of Education or Prop 9. I feel that most Americans and even educators assume that education for minorities and equal rights for women were simply a non-issue until Brown vs. Board and Prop 9, and it was extremely eye-opening and shocking to see how long the struggle for free and equal education was being fought for before any true steps were taken.
I also thought that it was very cool to see where the 'traditional' American school experience came from. The image of desks all in a row, teachers dictating information to students and students coming up to the blackboard to answer questions are as American as apple pie and football. Although we universally reject these practices now as archaic and outdated, I found it very interesting to see how it came about, and how different early visionaries who tried to change these ways were attacked as though they were enemies to America. Although Americans are for the most part a bit resistant to educational change, I am at least thankful that our visionaries have opportunities now to share their ideas or even start charter schools to educate students.
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