Research On The Vocational Education For Women During The Progressive Era In America

Progressivism was a period of rapid development of education in the United States,the number of high school enrollment in the United States increased particularly.As work and education have become more closely linked,American schools have become more career-oriented.During this period,the employment pattern of women changed,and the number of women working outside the home increased significantly,which aroused the attention of educators and reformers,and what kind of education women should receive in school became the focus of their debate.Around the turn of the century,women and women’s organizations formed a loose lobby group that began lobbying for programs and federal funding for women’s vocational education.These women’s organizations differ on the purpose and form of women’s vocational education.Home economics advocates believe that women’s roles as homemakers and mothers are Paramount;Supporters of industrial education focus on the problems of women of the industrial class and work to influence industrial training curricula in schools;Business education did not attract much attention from interest groups during this period.The interest groups formed by these women’s organizations played an important role in the enactment of the Federal Vocational Education Act in many ways,increasing federal funding for women’s vocational education.After the lobbying of vocational educators and some interest groups,Congress enacted the Smith-Hughes Act in February 1917,which ensured the status of home economics in vocational education.The principles laid down in the Act provided opportunities for women’s vocational education.By reviewing the development of female vocational education in the progressive period,we can pay attention to the influence of gender issues on school reform in the United States,and study from the perspective of women,we can understand the egalitarianism and prejudice in public education in the progressive period of the United States.During the period of progressivism,women’s vocational education abandoned the traditional educational goals,and women’s education began to be linked with work.American schools gradually formed a unique set of women’s curriculum.However,as the female vocational education plan is restricted by many forces in the process of implementation,its implementation effect is also greatly affected.