The "Red Scare" in Education

Hunting Communists.

The "Red Scare" of the 1950s touched every aspect of people's lives, including education. The loyalty of educators, at all levels, came under scrutiny as people expressed their fears that subversive forces were seeking control of schools. In February 1950 the U.S. commissioner of education, Dr. Earl James McGrath, warned against Communists teaching in public school, and the National Education Association barred membership of Communists at its annual meeting in July 1950. School districts required loyalty oaths from their teachers and employees. Universities cleansed their staffs and faculties of suspected subversive personnel. Such purges came at a price. The New York City school districts found so may suspected subversives that they suffered teacher shortages due to dismissals.

New York Eight.

In May 1950 eight teachers in New York City suspected of being Communists were suspended without pay,...

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