Reflection # 12

Around the 1950's the first satellite was launched in space, which was named the Soviet Sputnik. It made quit an impact in the Cold War. The failure to overcome the Soviets affected school's throughout America very low. Some universities became very strict in certain curriculums such as, math and science. It was meant to drive students into a higher level of thinking.
Another impact left by the Soviet Sputnik was, around the 1960's schools began to remove less and less electives. Low scores by students had a great deal to do with it as well; one of the reasons why electives were decreasing while certain subjects were increasing. Test and exams began to take its toll as well. Now they began to develop certain test that required students to pass in ordered to go on to the next level.
It almost became a rat race for America to surpass Soviet. They wanted to have the best educators with the highest knowledge in science or math. All which required higher standards not only from students, but from teachers as well.
To meet these new challenges congress passed the National Defense Education Act. This was passed to develop certain skills and resources for students. This act funded scholarship, loans, even teacher training programs, in order to develop better curriculum's results.