The National Defense Education Act (NDEA) is a United States federal law that was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. It was enacted in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the Sputnik satellite, which demonstrated the Soviet Union's technological superiority and sparked fears of a "missile gap" in the United States.
The NDEA provided funding for educational programs and research in science, mathematics, and modern foreign languages, with the goal of improving the quality of education in the United States and strengthening national defense. It also provided financial aid to students pursuing degrees in these fields.
One of the main provisions of the NDEA was the establishment of the National Defense Student Loan (NDSL) program, which provided low-interest loans to students pursuing higher education in science, mathematics, and modern foreign languages. The NDEA also established the National Defense Foreign Language Fellowship program, which provided funding for students to study abroad and learn critical foreign languages.
In addition to funding educational programs and research, the NDEA also provided funding for teacher training and professional development. It established the Title III program, which provided grants to states and school districts to improve the quality of science, mathematics, and foreign language education in K-12 schools.
The NDEA had a significant impact on education in the United States. It helped to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in science, math, and foreign languages, and it also helped to improve the quality of education in these subjects. It also contributed to the growth of the higher education system in the United States, as more students were able to afford to attend college due to the availability of financial aid.
Overall, the National Defense Education Act was a important piece of legislation that helped to improve the quality of education in the United States and strengthen national defense. It is still considered a significant achievement in the history of education in the United States.