Historia de la Educación Secundaria En México.

Historia de la Educación Secundaria En México.

History of Secondary Education in Mexico

Early Foundations of Secondary Education

  • The discussion begins with a historical overview of secondary education in Mexico, highlighting its evolution up to 2002.
  • A significant early reference is the Ley de Institución from 1865, which organized secondary schools modeled after the French system and set a curriculum duration of seven to eight years.
  • This law established state control over secondary education, marking an important regulatory step.

Key Legislative Developments

  • In 1915, the Congreso Pedagogico de Veracruz led to the Ley Educación Popular del Estado, enacted on October 4th that year.
  • This event is seen as pivotal for instituting and regulating secondary education in Mexico.
  • The decree defined secondary education and separated it from preparatory education.

Objectives and Implementation Challenges

  • The purpose was to provide practical instruction bridging elementary knowledge and professional university studies.
  • However, classes only began in 1916 for students who completed elementary education; objectives distinguishing this level were not clearly defined at that time.

Reorganization Efforts in the 1920s

  • In December 1923, Dr. Bernardo Castellum proposed reorganizing preparatory studies based on experiences from Veracruz.
  • His proposal emphasized clear distinctions for secondary schools as extensions of primary education aimed at correcting deficiencies and fostering social cooperation among students.

Establishment of Federal Secondary Schools

  • Following Castellum's project approval by the University Council, it was promulgated by Secretary José Basconcenos.
  • Moisés Sains later created the Department of Secondary Schools overseeing four institutions initially.

Revolutionary Educational Initiatives

  • The first federal secondary school was established on former convent grounds as part of President Flutardo Elias Calles' educational reforms.
  • Calles sent a commission abroad to study educational systems for adaptation within Mexico.

Presidential Decrees Strengthening Secondary Education

  • In 1925, two presidential decrees solidified plans for secondary education: one authorized creating secondary schools (August 29), while another established a general direction for their administration (December 22).

Nature and Goals of Secondary Education

  • Since then, secondary education has been viewed as an extension of primary schooling focused on general student development rather than specialization.
  • By 1926, efforts were made to reach more youth through public schooling initiatives aimed at cultural dissemination across all social classes.

Flexibility and Institutional Development

  • The structure allowed flexible teaching methods with various pathways leading to different future activities.
  • Over time distinct institutional forms emerged leading to what are now known as general modalities like "secundaria técnica" and "tele-secundaria."

Admission Requirements Evolution

  • As demand increased in 1928, new admission requirements were set including proof of primary completion and medical exams alongside psychopedagogical tests.
  • By 1932 objectives regarding social roles were revised along with study plans ensuring alignment with primary content.

Academic Preparation Focus

  • Emphasis was placed on preparing students academically while instilling necessary study habits for success in post-secondary studies.

History of Secondary Education in Mexico

Formation of Secondary Education Institutions

  • In 1936, the Instituto de Preparación de Profesorado de Enseñanza Secundaria was established to train secondary school teachers.
  • By 1939 and 1940, the department of secondary education evolved into a general directorate for secondary education, leading to a unified type of secondary schools.
  • The new structure mandated a three-year training period, resulting in what is now known as the general secondary modality.

Evolution of Educational Modalities

  • Until 1858, there was only one type of secondary education referred to as general education.
  • To differentiate from technical secondary education, which included science and humanities along with technological activities aimed at preparing students for work between 1964 and 1970.

Expansion and Demand for Education

  • Augustine Janis served as Secretary of Public Education during this transformative period.
  • The educational system responded to increasing demands due to rapid population growth and significant expansion in educational access.

Introduction of Telesecundaria

  • In 1968, telesecundaria began as an experimental program and integrated into the educational system by the following year.
  • This form of secondary education targeted rural communities, relying on one teacher per grade who taught all subjects with support from television materials and didactic guides.

Agricultural Secondary Schools Development

  • During this government period, rural normal schools and agricultural practices were transformed into agricultural secondary schools in 1967.

Key Historical Events in Education Reform