Early History of Education in American

American Colonial Period 1600-1776 Education at Home What are some disadvantages to this? Apprentice – someone who learns a skilled trade by watching and helping someone in that trade

American Colonial Period 1600-1776 New England Colonies – MA, CT, NH, RI Puritans from migrated from England Education for religious reasons Learn to read The Holy Bible Teaching farming skills

American Colonial Period 1600-1776 Middle Colonies – NY, NJ, PA, DE Immigrants from Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Germany, etc. Quakers established schools Included all races and females

American Colonial Period 1600-1776 Southern Colonies – VA, MD,NC, SC Education is not a function of government Only education for wealthy plantation owners, usually by tutors Few opportunities for middle class education Slaves taught only skills useful to owners MD Maryland

Role of the Teacher Ranked just below religious leaders No drinking or smoking No dating or marrying Performed charitable acts Regular church attendance required Mandatory participation in civic events Industrious and honest Visited the sick

School Curriculum Reading, writing, simple math, religion Little education after elementary Trade training, i.e., shoemaking Latin, Greek, advanced math for wealthy Sewing and home management for girls sometimes poetry and literature

School Curriculum Hornbooks flat wooden boards with a handle Sheet of paper contained alphabet, prayer, Roman numerals Covered with clear sheet of animal horn

American Early National Period 1776 - 1840 Began with American Revolution Changes occurred more quickly in cities Schools were seen as a vehicle for making a better society Less European influence Teaching skills focused on helping students enter trade such as agriculture, business, or shipping

Benjamin Franklin Understanding science helped to understand people and societies Began the first public library Expanded educational opportunities to those who could pay tuition and attend, regardless of religious beliefs Influenced schools to teach good citizenship and a variety of subjects

Thomas Jefferson Education was key to making new democracy a success If common people were well education, they could take part in government Introduced legislation to divide counties into smaller districts responsible for public education Free elementary schools Established University of Virginia

Role of Teachers Positive models of good citizenship Involved in community through church participation and involvement in community issues

School curriculum Reading, writing, and math Christian principals and citizenship Greek, Roman, English and American history Wealthy boys went on to study Greek, Latin, English grammar, literature, and science. If girls received additional education, it was with tutor; only subjects “relevant” for females Education limited to those of European ancestry

American Common School Period 1840 - 1880 Labor-saving devices gave people more time for other interests and pursuits Americans began to realize injustice of slavery Free education became widely available

Horace Mann 1st secretary for the State Board of Education in MA Worked to establish free public education for every boy & girl in MA First state supported schools Established normal schools Advocated for free libraries Believed schools should be nonsectarian

African American Education Often done in secret Northern freed slaves faced social and economic obstacles Allowed to attend Quaker schools First African American colleges were founded Most schools were segregated

Role of Teacher Taught all grades

Kindergarten Established by Freidrich Froebel who believed children learn best through play Intended to help poor children succeed in school

McGuffey Readers Textbook that taught moral lessons So widely used they contributed to the standardization of American education

The Morrill Act Known as Land-Grant College Act Gave federal land to establish colleges in every state Colleges provided practical education in agriculture, home economics, and other professions Made higher education available

American Progressive Period 1880-1921 Women gaining more rights More immigrants Industrial Revolution changed the nature of work and society Education seen as way to make American better and safer Schools overcrowded Children worked instead of school Progressives fought to require children to attend school

Segregated Education African American children attended separate schools with less funding Resources scarce and inferior Very limited funding Only African American teachers could teach here

Role of Teacher Teacher preparation programs in college replaced normal schools Focus on educational theories Teachers unhappy and formed labor unions that fought to improve pay, status, and working conditions Many women were teachers; few principals

School Curriculum Students encouraged to think critically and independently Progressives believed that citizens trained to think and question would clean up corrupt governments and improve working/living conditions Thousands of new public schools opened

John Dewey Believed that classrooms were too rigid and inflexible Believed school should place more emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking Promoted link between learning and experience Believed social interaction aided learning Teachers began to move into role of guiding learning

Maria Montessori Helped children who had difficulty learning Believed young children are capable of great discovery and motivated to explore the world Sensory experiences should come before learning to read and write Considered all of a child’s needs Classroom should be stimulating environment Children direct their own learning

Career and Technical Education Prepare students for specific trades or occupations Established by the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917

The 1920s and the Great Depression Schools expanded during the good times Schools faced hardships during the Great Depression Teacher pay cut or eliminated Only basic courses taught Federal funds helped hire teachers and purchase supplies School lunch program began

Dick and Jane Readers Books taught basic reading skills with simple stories Helped standardize education