Kassidy Chase
EDAC 631
History Paper
The 1980s
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bZWT6Rbm6CcXxqqUIVxKfAAQJoQdog15-8OWD6QDdyI/edit?usp=sharing
Introduction
The 1980s was shaped largely by the election of Ronald Regan. He was elected in 1980 and served a second term in 1984. This was important to the social climate of America at the time because of the conservatism of the Republican Party. The goal was to reduce the size of the federal government and to limit their involvement in the lives of citizens. There was instead a focus on businesses, business owners and mass producing goods. Regan supported deregulation of businesses and tax cuts for corporations and businesses. Regan’s values were defined as “supply-side economics” that he shared with the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher at the time ( Stock 2018). The 80s was the era of the trickle down economics. This style of economics stated that if the top earning citizens began to earn at a steady rate, that the excess earnings would trickle down to the lower socio-economic classes. However, this was not the result. There was instead a large increase in the budget for the military, and tax cuts for the rich. Due to this style of economy, it was said that at this time, “By early 1982, the United States was experiencing its worst recession since the Great Depression” (Stock 2018). The unemployment rates spiked, businesses tanked, and people lost their homes. This recession largely contributed to the stock market crash in 1987.
Highlights
One of the largest issues during this time was an education crisis. There was a question of if the quality of education in America during the 80s was up to par. Regan’s initial idea when elected was to “ abolish the Education Department and promote prayer in the schools and tuition tax credits'' (Ravitch, 2021). This negatively impacted the standard of education in America. When it came to standardized testing, “Studies showed that American elementary and secondary students consistently tested lower in science and math than their counterparts in Japan” (2022). These results directly related to a literacy problem in America during this time. There was a major decline in reading and writing literacy. For example, in 1982 the Labor Department estimated that 50 to 70 percent of those in unemployment lines lacked the basic skills of communications, personal relations, motivation, self-confidence, reading and calculating” (Washington 2019). The lack of basic skills made it difficult for employees to find workers suitable enough to train and work at their businesses. This played a large role in the unemployment issue of the 80s. Unemployment during the 80s reached “nearly 11 percent unemployment rate reached late in 1982” hence a recession (Sablik 2013). The issue was not the lack of jobs but rather a lack of people qualified to train and fill these positions.
Influential Factors
Despite the statistics of math and science being down, there was an introduction of new types of education. Math and science would be defined as formal education. However there was an influx of informal education. Schools began to offer courses such as “moral education, death education, consumer education, drug education, and driver education” (2022). This type of education became more popular during this time. Alongside this influx of informal education, Regan began a new idea. Regan’s idea known as the Adult Literacy Initiative, alongside the U.S. Department of Education. This initiative focused on improving the reading and writing skills of adults. Within this new initiative, “colleges and universities will be asked to offer their students federal College Work-Study funds and academic credit if they agree to become volunteer tutors” (Mirga 1983). Colleges all around the country volunteered tutors to help carry out this plan. Regan’s Literacy program was the largest program at the time but there were also other initiatives. For example, some organizations such as the Coalition for Literacy. This coalition started a literacy hotline to connect people that needed tutors to help. It was an incredible initiative that resulted in “ 9,000 logged calls” (Washington 2019). Together, these plans worked together to help improve the literacy crisis of the 80s.
Implications
The main idea that I learned from this period of time is just how important education is. Adult education begins at an early age because the need and desire for education begins then. The misconception about adult education is that it is always spontaneous and relies on adults deciding randomly to further their education. However, through my research, I have found that the desire, the need and routine for education usually starts at a young age. Adults that sought education when they were younger are amongst the most likely to seek education as an adult. For many people, seeking education is a habit. Additionally, we understand the importance of putting all forms of education first because we see what happens when we don't. During Regan’s presidency, we learned the ramifications of not investing in the future of education.
It is also important to note that while formal education may have declined, non formal education had an opportunity to emerge. Driving lessons, cooking lessons and moral education were instrumental during this to the lives of people outside of a typical curriculum.
Social background | Labor, increase in work, tax cuts, recession |
Highlights | Education crisis, literacy crisis, unemployment |
Influential factors | Regan literacy initiatives, literacy coalition hotline, informal classes |
implication | Education is the central focus, adult education starts at a young age |
References
1980s: Fashion, Politics, Movies, TV & AIDS Crisis | HISTORY. (2023, April 20). History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/1980s/1980s
Eckblad, B. D. B. a. M. (n.d.). Stock Market Crash of 1987. Federal Reserve History. https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/stock-market-crash-of-1987
Ravitch, D. (2021, February 23). Education in the 1980’s: A Concern for “Quality” (Opinion). Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/opinion-education-in-the-1980s-a-concern-for-quality/1990/01
"The 1980s Education: Overview ." U*X*L American Decades. . Retrieved April 12, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/culture-magazines/1980s-education-overview
Our Reading Problem. (1984, August 2). Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/08/02/our-reading-problem/ded1b0f7-eae6-4597-9fd8-ceea37e02be8/a
Mirga, T. (2021, October 12). Reagan Proposes Effort To Raise Literacy Level. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/education/reagan-proposes-effort-to-raise-literacy-level/1983/09
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