Prepare a brief paragraph on the impact of Sputnik and “A Nation at Risk” on public education.
Education in the United States has been influenced by several events. One event was the launching of Sputnik by Russia in 1957. Since Russia was a competitive power with the US, in 1958 our government created the National Defense Education Act, NDEA. This act started the federal government’s involvement in education and placed a major focus on the teaching of math and science in schools. The hope of this focus was to improve and guarantee the power and authority of the US around the world. As part of this act, gifted and intelligent students were targeted and guided toward higher education. Our national space program was also created and science became a major focus across the country. The second event to influence education was the report presented to President Ronald Reagan by Terrel Bell in 1983 titled “A Nation at Risk.” At this time our nation’s test scores in science and math were lower than they were before the launching of Sputnik and the NDEA. The report identified many areas in education that were not acceptable, but it also recommended many changes, which we …show more content…
& Garfield, 2008, p. 1). Human capital can be defined as all of the skills and knowledge learned and developed throughout one’s life. These skills and abilities allow you to earn a living and live your life. The social and economic development of the US has been greatly affected by an increase in human capital. Education at all levels definitely improves and increases human capital. Spending money on training and education greatly influences economic growth and wealth. Education is an industry that uses resources and tools to cultivate its product, which is part of a continuous and beneficial cycle. Education creates wealth, and the more you put into education; the more you gain. Education is a great