Chapter 3: School as a Public Institution The Common-School Era Chapter 3: School as a Public Institution

Intro The beginning of the Common school era in the U.S was based on developments in social institutions such as industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. The practicality of Classical Liberalism took on a different form in New England versus rural Jeffersonian Virginia.

Jefferson agrarian VA vs Massachusetts Geographically divided nation “Country living” superior to urban society Classical Liberalism= everyone born on equal footing regardless of heredity Freedom on the frontier. Supported state funded, locally controlled schools Laissez-faire approach to school MASSACHUSETTS Immigration- mass population of Irish immigrants Urbanization- Immigration flock to large cities (New York/Philadelphia) for jobs in emerging industries ( factories, railroads) Transportation developments- great improvements in road building, canals, railroad expansion connected cities allowing for a more efficient way of moving people and goods. Jefferson

RELIGIOUS IMPACT Great Enlightenment- gradual displacement of Puritanism Ushered in religious tolerance More free thinking Schools seek to go beyond the 3 R’s

Political Developments White male suffrage expands By 1828, four of seven men were qualified to vote.

Economic Developments As cities expanded, with natives as well as immigrants flocking to industry jobs, the need arose for a set of “common values” built around standard practices and could be emulated by immigrants. This would be beneficial as industry became more industrialized.

Horace Mann

Horace Mann Cont’d. Born in 1796 in Massachusetts Descendants of some of the earliest U.S. Settlers Lawyer Served as Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education Served in the U.S. House of Representatives President of Antioch College

Mann and Common Schools Lobbied for safe healthy physical learning conditions. Most schools in the early 1800- poor construction Cold, dark No bathroom facilities No water for washing/drinking Common schools should teach “common elements” Modern Values based in religious beliefs that would support and sustain industrial development Admirer of Prussian school system Free, state financed and controlled

Mann and Common Schools cont’d Believed in physical punishment as a last resort The use of should be decreased until it could be eliminated from use in schools Better training for teachers Championed employment for more female teachers based on nature female tendencies of nurture.

Mann and Common Schools cont’d Economic value of schooling Education is key to financial success Well educated workforce is better for industry

Questions What were the major advantages/ disadvantages of rural vs urban life? How was Puritanism differ in urban Massachusetts? How does common elements curriculum impact other religions? How did the increase of women in teaching positions affect society? In what ways has the economic value of schooling increased/decreased?