Designed primarily for art education students and professionals in the field, this book presents the history of art education in U.S. public schools. The book gives priority to information rather than to theoretical or philosophical interpretation. It considers art education as a response to sociological forces, to trends and conditions in education, and to the contemporary arts, particularly the visual arts. One hundred and fifty years of school art are organized into six chapters: (1) the 19th century; (2) 1900-1915; (3) 1916-1929; (4) 1930-1945; (5) 1946-1959; and (6) the 1960s. Each chapter briefly recalls relevant external influences: events, changes, attitudes; technological and intellectual currents; and movements in literature, music, theater, dance, visual arts, and education. The account of art education in each chapter details status, organizations, publications, purposes, issues, research, and the curriculum in drawing and painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, design--graphic, industrial, home, and community--the crafts, and appreciation. The treatment of these topics expands through the decades, culminating in a substantial consideration of the 1960s. The book concludes with an epilogue and an extensive bibliography. Contains 110 illustrations. (BT)