History of Adult Education 1950-1959

                       

Adult Education: 1950 to 1959

Ross Reynolds

Ball State University

EDAC 631 Adult & Community Education

September 14, 2014

Abstract

            This paper is an overview of Adult Education in the 1950’s of the United States of America.  With World War II over and The Civil Rights Movement beginning, many factors were contributing to the growing existence of education, more specifically Adult Education.   With new motivations, funding, and opportunities new faces from different backgrounds were starting to participate in education than years previous.  Although all education was changing, Adult Education might have witness the most change during the 1950’s.

Introduction

            Much of the first part of the 1900’s the United States was going through events that put the country in difficult positions.  The three most notable events were World War I and II, and the Great Depression.  But with all the soldiers returning back home in the late 1940’s, the 1950’s presented it’s self with new opportunities that we have not seen to years previous.  One opportunity changed the future for many families across the country was when Congress passed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, which became popularly know as the “G.I. Bill.” For at least a temporary period, this generous and flexible financial aid program enabled an unprecedented number of veterans to attend colleges, universities, and an array of "postsecondary" institutions. This legislation also gave energy to civil rights cases linked with educational access.  In addition to federal funding, growing states with enthusiastic governors and legislatures sought ways to work with their state's educational leaders to accommodate an impending enrollment boom. (Thelin)  The G.I. Bill also enabled veterans to buy homes with a home loan with a low cost mortgage, which in must cases became cheaper for families to move to “suburbs” rather live in the expensive apartments in larger cities.  Another new creation that made traveling more prevalent was the creation of the Interstate Highway system that President Eisenhower help lead, the new road system spread from coast to coast and promoted people to travel more between states.

            Although, United States had so many things going great for its’ self, the country was still under constant tension with Soviet Union, known as the Cold War.  The Cold War would affect United States diplomatic policies for decades and even with domestic policy being passed in fear of communism to take over the country.  While United States was dealing with this tension with the U.S.S.R, the country was also dealing with a growing movement called the Civil Rights movement that would shape our twenty forever.  People were becoming tired of racism and segregation, more specifically in the Southern States, to the point that it was becoming part of American mainstream part of life. ()  All these factors in society during the 1950’s, would help influence Adult Education grow.

Highlights

            During a time of much change within the society there are a few events that proved to have a significant importance on Adult Education.  One event, that helped Adult Education to become prevalent in society, especially with people from Middle or Lower economic class, was the G.I. Bill.  The G.I. Bill gave the opportunity for veterans to go to college or other secondary level education in order to help to provide the brave men with opportunities that had always been reserved for the higher economic status individuals.  With this newfound opportunity, many young men took this opportunity to attend colleges and universities.  With all the young brave men back home, colleges and universities witnessed a boom in attendance.  In 1930, enrollment for private and public schools combined was at 1,100.737. In 1950, the enrollment raised to 2,659,021, and raised to 2,996,000 in 1956. (Book source)  With all these new individuals participating in education, there were more ideas and perceptions on education; it also helped to foster new ideas.  Which is always good for education.

            With more and more people becoming educated the more people started to realize that there was an injustice still going on within its’ own country.  People were becoming tried of the racism and segregation that was still going on, primarily in the Southern States.  One event that could not have made a bigger impact is Brown vs. The Board of Education.  In 1954, in the landmark case, the Supreme Court declared that “separate educational facilities” for black children were “inherently unequal.” Many Southern whites resisted the Brown ruling. They withdrew their children from public schools and enrolled them in all-white “segregation academies,” and they used violence and intimidation to prevent blacks from asserting their rights. In 1956, more than 100 Southern congressmen even signed a “Southern Manifesto” declaring that they would do all they could to defend segregation.(cite source) Even with all the resistance to this change, it could not overcome the Civil Right Movement.  Although, African-Americans were already attending colleges and universities, more and more were attending.  Yet again, by having more people getting involved in Adult Education, new perspectives were continually add to the field of education. 

            With all these significant events happening within the United States and the World, Adult Education was able to reap the benefits by adding new perspectives and new ideas to education that it was not able too in the past. Anyone in education would agree that this type of change occurring within the field, does nothing but good things can Adult Education.  This is just one way that the culture and perspective change for Adult Education shifted in our country.

Influential Factor

            With all the events going on the world: end of World War II, Cold War, the race to space, and eventually Korean War in the horizon.  The nation started to put more money towards education, more specifically mathematics, science, and engineering. Realization of how important education would be to our country in the future, education needed funding.   With an economic boost during the 1950’s, more and more organizations were able to help fund education, even Adult Education.  The 1950’s and 1960’s are singled out as a special period because so many changes related to adult education occurred. Foundations began to take notice of the needs of adults throughout the country and gave support for a variety of adult and continuing education activities. The Carnegie Corporation, the Kellogg Foundation, and the Mott Foundation were some of the leaders in promoting adult education at the state and local community level. In addition, the Ford Foundation established and supported the Fund for Adult Education, an organization that promoted research, program and materials development, and a variety of experimental programs.  The Adult Education Association of the USA (AEA) was formed in 1950. The National Association of Public School Adult Educators (NAPSAE--eventually called the National Association for Public Continuing and Adult Education, NAPCAE) was established in 1952. Together those two organizations were primary forces in shaping the field as it is today. They supported research, developed or supported much of the recent literature of the field, provided a base for study and discussion pursuant to the growth of the field, and established a liaison relationship with federal and state programs. (cite source) 

            With new organizations forming during this decade, many educators became more popular, but no individual was more popular than Malcolm Knowles.  Malcolm Shepherd Knowles was born August 24, 1913, in Livingston, Montana. His A.B. degree from Harvard University in 1934 was followed by positions as director of related training for the National Youth Administration; director of adult education for the Boston YMCA; director of the Detroit United Services Organization; duty as an officer in the U.S. Navy; and executive secretary of the Chicago YMCA. He received an M.A. degree from the University of Chicago in 1949. With these experiences as a foundation for his work in adult education, he served as executive director of the Adult Education Association of the U.S.A. in its years of early rapid growth, 1951-1959.(cite source)  Knowles is most known for Andragogy.  Andragogy is most commonly known as the science of understanding and supporting lifelong and life-wide education of adults. (cite source)  Knowles is still relevant to Adult Education, and students are still studying his theories and practices.

             It’s amazing to look back at the history of Adult Education and see how much occurred during the 1950’s.  From famous foundations like The Carnegie Corporation, the Kellogg Foundation, the Mott Foundation and the Ford Foundation to organizations like The Adult Education Association of the USA (AEA), The National Association of Public School Adult Educators being started to that time.  And one of the most famous educators, Malcolm Knowles was one of the influential educators of the decade. This was an awesome time period in Adult Education.

Implications

            By studying history of Adult Education by focusing in on one decade in history, I have learned how much society and politics plays a role Adult education.  Imagine if the country would have never had the G.I. Bill? Imagine if our country didn’t have the Brown vs. the Board of Education trial till later in time?  With the rise in attendance of college and universities, and more people realizing that our country needed a change in thought about how we treat people of other races.  Our country would have been completely different, if our country did not have all these events like the World War II, Civil Rights Movement, G.I. Bill, funds from foundations, and creation of organizations.  We are truly blessed for the opportunities we all have now in education.  No matter our economic status, race, or religion we have the opportunity to expand our education.

Summaries of Adult Education 1950 to 1959

Areas	Summaries
Social Background	World War II, Cold War, and Civil Rights Movement
Highlights	G.I. Bill, Brown vs. the Board of Education
Influential Factors	Funding and Organizations for education
Implications	Equal opportunity for education

References

Gelbrich, J. (1999, January 1). AMERICAN EDUCATION. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/ae8.html

Hiemstra, R. (1976). Ch. 2 The Societal Role of Adult and Continuing Education. In Lifelong learning. Lincoln, Neb.: Professional Educators Publications.

"Malcolm Shepherd Knowles." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 62-64. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.

The 1950s. (2010, January 1). Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://www.history.com/topics/1950s

Thelin, J., Edwards, J., & Moyen, E. (n.d.). Higher Education in the United States - HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, SYSTEM. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2044/Higher-Education-in-United-States.html

Satin, J. (1960). The 1950's: America's placid decade. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.