1940s: The decade of education advancements

Great strides were made during WWII and the years following in science and technology.  More importantly this flowed over into the realm of education.  We as a nation understood during this decade that we needed to be educated and give our soldiers and younger citizens chances to succeed.  Below is a timeline that highlights many of the advances that today we take for granted.

1944 –

GI Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act) provides educational financial aid for veterans

President Franklin D. Roosevelt writes Vannevar Bush, Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, asking how the successful application of scientific knowledge to wartime problems could be carried over into peacetime. (President Roosevelt's Letter)


1945 –

Founding member of  United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization

Vannevar Bush delivers his report, entitled Science - The Endless Frontier, to President Harry S. Truman. His report proposes the establishment of a "National Research Foundation."

Senator Warren Magnuson of Washington introduces a bill to implement Bush's plan, the first of a number of bills offered in response to Bush's suggestions. In later bills, the proposed organization is called the "National Science Foundation," a title first suggested by Senator Harley M. Kilgore of West Virginia.

1946 –

Fulbright Program “the flagship international education program” for international exchange and mutual understanding, is established

The George Barden Act expands vocational education subsidies


1947 --

The National Art Education Association was founded with the merger of the Western, Pacific, Southeastern, and Eastern Region Art Associations, plus the art department of the National Education Association (NEA). The NAEA consists of educators in all fifty states plus the District of Columbia, U.S. Possessions, most Canadian Provinces, U.S. military bases around the world, and twenty-five foreign countries. This organization was founded to promote art education through Professional Development, Service, Advancement of Knowledge, and Leadership. NAEA is a non-profit, educational organization which has the potential to collaborate with federal education agencies and other national professional groups.

Congress passes a bill establishing a National Science Foundation, but President Harry S. Truman vetoes it because it did not give the president authority to name the director of the agency.

1948 –

U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act (Smith–Mundt Act) prevents the US from disseminating information domestically that has been designed to deliberately influence foreign audiences

1949--

The Office of Education reestablished a position of "Specialist in Education for the Fine Arts."

The 1940 US Census Community Project needs you! Consider volunteering to index and spread the word. Records will be released in 18 days!

Sources:
Timeline of US Federal Cultural Policy Milestones 1787-2006
The History of Art Education Timeline 1940-1949
The National Science Foundation


Images Library of Congress:
Jobs - get the facts about occupations - free classes for young men and women 16 to 25 yrs.--National Youth Administration of Illinois
Get ahead! Adult education classes : For adults at no charge.