Secondary Schools: A Reference Handbook (Electronic book text)

A broad survey of secondary schools and their historical origins and present-day goals, intentions, and practices in educating adolescents. Schools have changed greatly since the days of "reading and writing and 'rithmetic taught to the tune of a hickory stick." Now there are student rights, magnet schools, standardized tests, computers, and even corporate sponsorships. But are students really getting a better education today? Secondary Schools: A Reference Handbook charts the planning, designing, and administration of the various types of secondary schools in the U.S. and their goals. It maps the historical foundation of the school system, examines important social and cultural movements in education, analyzes legislation and policy issues, looks at standardization and discusses reform. Always keeping the needs of students in close focus, this book examines public and private institutions, vocational curricula, schools within schools, as well as target audiences for specific institutions, educational standards, accessibility, admission policies, student assistance, and other important subjects.