Chapter 1: The Origin of the National Council of Teachers of English

From the late 1800s to WWII, the teaching of English shifted from a conglomeration of topics into a modern discipline with a focus on literature and composition. Amid the discipline’s shift, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) was created in response to a perceived domination of higher education interests dictating secondary English curriculum. Despite its origin, the NCTE changed its message throughout the 20th century, reacting and attempting to influence broader educational and social concerns. True to its roots, however, the NCTE’s actions aligned with progressive education movements that favored student-centered educational methods. NCTE authors produced two major publications reflecting these views. The first, The Reorganization of English in Secondary Schools was conceived within the reorganization movement of the early 20th century. This movement sought connections between secondary curricula and relevant social situations. The second document, An Experience Curriculum in English, recommended an experiential student-centered learning environment. Both texts were vital to the early history of the NCTE because of their collective popularity and influence.