Historical Development of American Education Chapter 5 Historical Development of American Education

Colonial Education New England: Puritan education, stressing religion to counter child depravity. Early public town schools, followed by private Latin grammar school and Harvard College for upper-class boys. Middle Atlantic: Diverse religious schools, for- profit schools emphasizing practical skills. South: Private tutors for children of wealthy, followed by boarding school. Skills training, but no reading instruction for slave children.

Developments in Public Schooling Common Schools: Elementary level, established state by state, included one-room schools on the frontier Public High Schools: Gradually replaced the academy in latter half of 19th century Jr. High Schools: Initiated in 1920s and 1930s; middle schools developed beginning in 1960s State Colleges and Universities: Established in first half of 19th century; land-grant colleges established after 1862 Morrill Act

History of American High Schools 1600s: Private Latin grammar schools, for-profit skills schools. 1700s: Private academies included both practical and scholarly curricula, as well as normal schools for teachers. 1800s: Public high schools introduced, grow more popular in second half of century. 1900s - 2000s: Growth of large, comprehensive high schools and continuing efforts to determine appropriate curricula.

Pioneering American Educators Benjamin Franklin: Founded an academy with a utilitarian curriculum different from Latin grammar schools. Thomas Jefferson: Favored tax-supported public schools; principal founder of the University of Virginia. Benjamin Rush: Advocated “denominationally” controlled schools; promoted women’s academies and colleges Noah Webster: promoted an American language; published dictionaries and spellers.

Pioneering American Educators (cont’d) Horace Mann: First Secretary of Massachusetts State Board of Education; guided Massachusetts to establish free, public universal elementary schools. Catharine Beecher: Tied education for women to teacher preparation; established model teacher education institutions. William Holmes McGuffey: Wrote the McGuffey Readers which emphasized moral values W. E. B. DuBois: Through the NAACP advocated for all children having equality of educational opportunity.

Education in a Culturally Diverse Society Assimilation Focuses on developing a single American identity Discourages or forbids students’ use of native languages Discourages or forbids cultural customs or learning styles that do not fit American ideal Curriculum emphasizes western European cultural heritage Multiculturalism Encourages diverse cultural identities Bilingual education is often an option Accommodates diverse learning styles and appreciates contributions of diverse cultural customs Curriculum recognizes diverse cultural heritage

Recent Historical Trends Controversy over immigration Teaching about evolution Emphasis on educational technology Gender equity promoted by Title IX Inclusion for students with disabilities Protection against violence, bullying and harassment Responses to Sept. 11