School: The Story of American Public Education

School: The Story of American Public Education

A history of the American public education systems, beginning in the late 1700s and working up to the present day.

OverviewCreditsWatchReviewsSeasonsImagesVideosRecommendationsSimilar

Created By

Status

Ended

Original Name

School: The Story of American Public Education

First Air Date

September 3, 2001

Last Air Date

September 24, 2001

Seasons

1

Episodes

4

Language

English

Production Companies

Networks

S01E04

The Bottom Line: 1980 - The Present

In 1983, the Reagan Administration’s report A Nation at Risk shattered public confidence in America’s school system and sparked a new wave of education reform. This program explores the impact of the "free market" experiments that ensued, from vouchers and charter schools to privatization—all with the goal of meeting tough new academic standards. Today, the debate rages on: do these diverse strategies challenge the Founding Fathers’ notions of a common school, or are they the only recourse in a complex society?

View Episodes