Chapter 4: Preparing Teachers in the Mid-to-Late Twentieth Century: National and Global Influences

The second half of the twentieth century in the United States was shaped by the contexts of the Civil Rights Movement, the War on Poverty, and wide-ranging appeals for social justice. On a global level, the threat of arms competition and nuclear conflict stemming from the Cold War with the Soviet Union, coupled with the tensions of the race to outer space, also influenced the landscape. These different and complex contexts not only shaped the lives of children and families during this period, but also the work of specialists, including teachers and other school professionals, who provided services to these groups. These circumstances affected how these individuals prepared for their professional responsibilities.