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Women in American Education, 1820-1955 The Female Force and Educational Reform
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Book Code: GM1947
ISBN: 0-313-31947-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-31947-1
176 pages, excerpts
Greenwood Press
Publication: 11/30/2001
List Price: $98.95 (UK Sterling Price: £57.95)
Availability: Out of stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects:
Series Title: Contributions to the Study of Education
Series Number: 81
  • Endorsement From Joseph L. DeVitis
    Professor of Education and Human Development
    State University of New York at Binghamton:
    This lucid journey into the lives and careers of eight extraordinary women unveils important hidden aspects of American educational history. Their courageous will to do good was situated in insight and action, in individual effort and social ethics. Edwards' richly drawn portraits provide real-life lessons for today's students in social foundations of education, history of education, and women's studies.
  • Endorsement From Karen McKellips
    Professor of Education
    Cameron University:
    Edwards' Women in Education 1820-1955: The Female Force and Educational Reform provides insight into many aspects of educational and women's history. Women educational pioneers are presented in their true places as innovators and practitioners of educational reform rather than as footnotes to the male theorists most often featured in textbooks making the book a good choice for use in women's studies courses. It would be an excellent supplementary text for social foundations of education courses as the reader is led to view contemporary constructivist educational theory through examination of its roots in 19th and early 20th century educational practice and to consider the place of women in educational history.
  • Endorsement From Jean Palmer-Moloney
    Associate Professor of Education
    Director of Teacher Education
    Hartwick College:
    Edwards offers an uplifting collection of biographies that challenge educators today to appreciate the courage and sacrifice of eight women who utilized constructivist practices. The women's stories she selected demonstrate the struggles they faced as educators working outside of traditional white, male-dominated institutions. The biographies in this collection not only offer insight into the times in which the women educators lived, they present the female voice in education theory that is often overlooked in favor of male philosophers and educators. At this point in time, when educators in the United States need to be encouraged to remember the gains of constructivist reforms and the rewards of active student engagement, [this book] is a welcome addition to my Curriculum Theory and Practice class.
Description: The lives and contributions of eight female educators who influenced modern American schools are described, as well as the historical context in which the women lived and worked. These women challenged the male establishment, broke barriers, and utilized techniques heralded today as "radical reforms," such as teacher facilitation, student initiative, active learning, meaning construction, and practical applications of knowledge. They stressed open-ended research, creativity, and the integration of subject matter, and they promoted critical thinking, peer cooperation, and shared teacher/student decision-making. The women's methods were radical in their own day, and in many ways still are. The female reformers described in this book opened the doors of education to the larger public, often working with people excluded from traditional institutions, including females, the very young, the mentally disabled, immigrants of all ages, homemakers, and African-American youth. Without government subsidy, most of these educators had to work with meager resources and constantly raise money for their schools and other projects by giving speeches, writing books and articles, soliciting wealthy donors, and even organizing bazaars and bake sales. With enormous confidence in the worth of their endeavors, they persevered despite many hardships and gave their entire lives to creating new educational and career opportunities.
Table of Contents:
  • Introduction
  • Catharine Beecher: Educating Girls, Homemakers, and Teachers
  • Elizabeth Palmer Peabody: Educating Young Children
  • Elizabeth Blackwell: Medical and Physical Education for Females
  • Ellen Swallow Richards: Science Education for School, Home, and Society
  • Jane Addams: Educating the Immigrant Poor
  • Maria Montessori: Educating Children for Independence
  • Mary McLeod Bethune: Educating African-American Youth
  • Helen Parkhurst: Educating for Responsibility with the Dalton Plan
  • Index
  • Bibliography
LC Card Number: 2001045122
LCC Class: LC1757
Dewey Class: 370
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