It's no secret that Gen Z thinks differently than older generations. Hey, that's the whole reason we're writing this article series! And it's not just Gen Z; each generation processes the world differently. This is partially because the events that occurred throughout each generation's upbringing directly shape them and the way they think. For example, the current coronavirus pandemic has changed the way a lot of Gen Z make decisions and will continue to affect us as we reach adulthood, just liked World War II affected Baby Boomers and the Vietnam War affected Gen X. However, it's not only events that define generations.
The way we are educated affects us in an astounding way, at least in my opinion. And, as technology advancements change the way classrooms look, each generation is impacted differently by our schooling. At our childhood, we are at our most flexible; We don't know too much yet, so we don't have too many opinions. The way we grow up and the way in which we are taught shapes us into the human beings we are today. So, in light of the back-to-school season, I thought it might be interesting to examine how schools have changed and how these changes have affected Gen Z and previous generations.
School looked very different in the 50s and 60s. Religion was very prominent in education during these decades, as many schools were affiliated with a religion or religious denomination. For example, a Catholic school.
Also, a lot of emphases were placed on uniforms/dress codes. Unlike now, it was actually very common for public schools to have a strict uniform, like the ones pictured below.
However, the most defining characteristic of schools in the 50s and 60s were segregated classrooms. Although the Brown v. Board of Education supreme court case ruled that the segregation of black and white children in public schools was unconstitutional in 1954, schools weren't officially ordered to desegregate until 1968, by the Green v. County School District of New Kent County.
Now, things are very different. An overwhelming majority of students attend public school, as public education has advanced greatly over the years. One of the main things that have facilitated the improvement of public education is the Common Core curriculum. The Common Core curriculum presents a series of guidelines for each grade: what students should be learning, what they should already know, etc. Through this, education has become more standardized; The Common Core fundamentally "leveled the playing field."
Also, school uniforms are typically not required in public schools, although a dress code may be enforced. Even so, dress codes are becoming increasingly less popular, as many students argue that rules controlling what students can and cannot wear are outdated and limit the students' originality.
In fact, an article from the National Educational Association interviewed various students fighting their school's dress code. Since dress codes typically target girls, many female students argue that the dress code is discriminatory and demand change. Some schools have taken them up on removal or amendment to the dress code, while others have not.
Obviously, schools are completely desegregated. Segregation was incredibly detrimental to the students' learning for a number of reasons, just some of them being: the loss of the opportunity to learn with peers from different backgrounds and experiences, the loss of equal education for students regardless of race, and a less diverse curriculum.
Now, one of the defining traits of classrooms today is the widespread use of technology. Computers only began to be used in the classroom around the 1980s, now, in many schools, students are provided their very own computer or tablet. Textbooks are typically digital, and teachers use SMARTboards instead of chalkboards or whiteboards. 70 years ago, this would've been utterly unthinkable.
Schools have changed a lot, and they'll continue to change years into the future. However, what's most important to remember is that education proceeds to inspire and shape students to thrive in the outside world.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed my article. As always, feel free to voice any questions, comments, or concerns. Thanks again!