6 the early history of education in america permission granted to reproduce for educational use...

6The Early History of

Education in America

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

The Early History of Education in America• History of education in America

– explains how schools developed– is characterized by historical events and

social trends– explains much about today’s schools


For Discussion

• What historical events do you know of that changed the evolution of American schools?

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Objective

• Give examples of how education during the American Colonial Period reflected local culture and beliefs.

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The American Colonial Period (16001776)• Before an educational system existed,

education took place in the home• Parents taught

– basic reading and arithmetic skills– practical learning for life and work

• Some elementary schools were established in well-populated areas

• Many older children became apprentices

continued


The American Colonial Period (16001776)• Puritans in New England believed in

religious education and learning to read the Bible

• Middle colonies were more diverse; no common school system

• Tolerant Quakers established first schools that welcomed all regardless of sex, religion, or race

continued


The American Colonial Period (16001776)• In the southern colonies, social and

economic class divisions were rigid– Boys were educated at home by tutors– Girls and the middle class had few

opportunities for formal education– Slaves were only taught useful skills

• Dame schools were open to boys and girls


Objective

• Trace changes in the preparation, roles, and status of teachers over time.

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The Role of Teachers

• Expected to be examples of moral behavior

• Could not drink, smoke, or marry• Required to attend church regularly

and participate in civic events• Expected to perform charitable acts


School Curriculum

• Basic reading, writing, simple math, religion

• Training for trades, navigation, plantation management

• Home management skills for girls• Hornbooks used for instruction


For Reflection

• Do you think you could have become well educated during the American Colonial Period? Why?

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The American Early National Period (17761840)• Educational changes began in cities

and spread to rural areas• Less European influence; education

promoted ideas of freedom and liberty• Religion played less of a role


Objective

• Analyze how key people in early education reform responded to concerns of the time.

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Benjamin Franklin

• Began the first public library• Started a secondary school

– Open to everyone who could pay tuition

– Covered a broad range of subjects– Precursor to modern public schools


Thomas Jefferson

• Third president of the United States• Believed common people should be

educated to take part in the government

• Helped establish a public system of education available without cost

continued


Thomas Jefferson

• Established the University of Virginia

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• Models of good citizenship, which involves– involvement in church and community

issues– obeying laws and rules– respecting authority


School Curriculum

• Reading, writing, math• Christian principles and citizenship• Greek, Roman, English, and American

history• Wealthy boys learned

– Greek, Latin, English grammar– advanced math, geography, literature,

science


For Discussion


• How was learning in the American Early National Period different from learning during the American Colonial Period?


Objective

• Describe how educational opportunities changed from colonial times forward.

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The American Common School Period (18401880)• Significant events included

– movement west to Oregon and California– invention of labor-saving devices– Civil War and freeing of slaves


Horace Mann

• Served as first secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education

• Worked to establish free public education for every boy and girl– Common schools were first public state-

supported schools

• Established normal schools to improve and standardize schools

continued


Horace Mann

• Advocated the establishment of free libraries

• Used state taxes to support public schools

• Believed schools should not teach specific religious belief systems


African American Education• Laws in the South prohibited educating

African Americans• Quaker schools allowed attendance of

African American students• After the Civil War, northern

missionaries started schools in the South

• These schools lacked funds to provide a quality education, were short-lived



• In rural areas, one teacher taught all grades in a schoolhouse

© Judy Marie Stepanian/Shutterstock continued



• Low salaries were paid by community members

• Normal schools allowed teachers to be trained and better prepared

• Women were able to make a living on their own


School Curriculum

• Significant changes included– establishment of kindergartens– the use of McGuffey readers– the passing of the Morrill Act


Kindergarten

• Concept developed by German educator Friedrich Froebel

• Used songs and games to help poor children succeed in schools

• Foundation of today’s kindergartens, based on creative play and social interaction


For Discussion

• How do you think the addition of kindergartens affected the American education system?



The McGuffey Readers

• Textbooks became widely available• Reverend William Holmes McGuffey

was asked to write a textbook• Taught moral lessons, reading,

spelling, history, biology, botany, literature, speech

• Wide use contributed to standardization of American education


The Morrill Act

• Also known as the Land-Grant College Act

• Gave federal land to establish colleges• Provided education in useful

professions• Made higher education available to all

Americans


The American Progressive Period (18801921)• Industrial Revolution drew rural

population, immigrants to cities© Computer Earth/Shutterstock

continued


The American Progressive Period (18801921)• Urban areas: overcrowding, poverty,

disease• Parents and children worked long

hours in factories

• Progressives began a reform movement


Segregated Education

• African American children attended separate public schools that received– less funding– inferior educational materials

• African American teachers were paid significantly less



• College teacher preparation programs replaced normal schools

• Emphasis placed on educational theory• First teachers’ labor union formed• More women entered the workforce


For Discussion

• What do you think was the most significant role of teachers during this period?



School Curriculum

• Focus turned to students as individuals• Citizens trained to think critically and

independently could improve living and working conditions

• Thousands of high schools opened– High school diploma became important in

finding a job


John Dewey

• Leading progressive• Believed schools

– were too inflexible– needed great emphasis on problem solving

and critical thinking

• Promoted link between learning and experience


Maria Montessori

• Believed sensory experiences help young children learn

• Developed the Montessori method• Use classrooms as stimulating

environments• Children direct their own learning


Career and Technical Education• Vocational education is now called

career and technical education• Prepares students for specific trades

and occupations for skilled workers• Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 established

federal funding for high school classes


The 1920s and the Great Depression Era (19211940)• In the 1920s, more people had

disposable income• As credit became available, consumer

education was needed• Quotas set on number of immigrants• Stock Market crash put the country into

the Great Depression


Impact of Economy on Schools• Citizens were unable to pay taxes;

schools faced a shortage of funds– School districts ceased operation or

shortened the school year– Teacher pay decreased or eliminated– Only basic subjects were taught

• Families had no money for school supplies

• Children were forced to workcontinued


Impact of Economy on Schools• Federal government gave funds to hire

teachers and purchase supplies• Schools offered free hot lunches for

children• Better schools were built to provide

employment


For Reflection

• How do the economic condition of schools today compare to that during the Great Depression?

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Key Points• American Colonial Period: children

receive basic and religious education• American Early National Period:

education to prepare children for participation in democratic government

• American Common School Period: schools become more standardized, formal teacher training programs established

continued


Key Points• American Progressive Period: push for

educational reform to improve society• 1920s: educational reform continued

during economic prosperity• 1930s: Great Depression, education

returned to basics


Review• What did American Colonial Period

schools use in place of books?hornbooks• Who worked to establish free,

nonsectarian, public education for every boy and girl?

Horace Mann

continued


Review• What was the purpose of the Morrill

Act?gave federal land to establish colleges in

every state• Who believed that sensory experiences

should come before learning to read and write?

Maria Montessori

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