1. History of Education in America
American History

2. Overview Public Education- Relatively new concept
Throughout history most students never received formal education
Often reserved for the wealthy or religious
Americans will change the world view of who is educated and how

3. Four Eras of American Ed
Permissive Era
Encouraging Era
Compulsory Era
Contemporary Era 1958-Present

4. Permissive Era
Government permits the organization of public schools subject to the approval
of local voters.
Complete Parental Authority
Focused on Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Religious studies
Local communities may or may not establish schools

6. Encouraging Era
Government encourages the establishment of school districts and raising of tax revenues to support them.
Establishment of schools not required
Parental Authority, Children did not have to attend.
Mistrust of parents spreads in education leadership.
“In too many instances the parents are unfit guardians of their own children … the children must be gathered up and forced into school”

7. McGuffey Readers

8. The Common School Occurred during first half of 1800’s.
Elementary school only
Reading, writing, and arithmetic
“Common” because it was open to children of all social classes
Schooling was a state responsibility, therefore each had its own set of rules.

11. Compulsory Era
Government compels the establishment of school districts, taxation for government schools, curriculum and structure, and children’s school attendance.
Decline in parental Authority
1852 Compulsory laws are enacted in all states

13. Horace Mann Mass. Secretary of Education, proponent of common schools
Mobilized national support for public schools
Conviced taxpayers it was in their best interest to establish public schools
Stewardship theory- prosperous people had the responsibility to educate the public
Investment- creates industrious men and women who would obey the laws.
Americanize- people from different backgrounds and give them a common identity.

15. Education for Democracy
Democracy requires educated, literate citizens.
Illiteracy would lead to mob uprisings
Common elementary schools would provide a national identity and purpose

17. Normal Schools
Two year programs designed to prepare new teachers for common schools
Courses in history and philosophy of education, teaching methods, and demonstration
By 1900 many had become four year teacher-education colleges
Before civil war majority of rural teachers are male, by % were women

19. The One Room School
Local school board, elected by people, set the tax rate, hire and supervise the teacher.
1 teacher, students from age 5-17 in one room.
Studied reading, writing, grammar, spelling, arithmetic, history, geography, and hygiene.
Students memorized and recited information
Punctuality, honesty, and hard work were stressed values.
Teachers were the janitor, record keeper, and administrator

21. Public High School Movement
By ,526 public high schools were enrolling 200,000 students.
Industrialization and urbanization creates a demand for specialized occupations
High schools became the link between elementary school and college or the skilled workforce.

23. High School Curriculum
Traditionalists saw high schools as college-preparatory.
Industrialists saw high schools as industrial and vocational training grounds.
Four main subjects: classical, Latin-scientific, modern language, and English.
Curriculum also included: foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, English, and history

25. Colleges and Universities
Private- usually sponsored by churches
Public- sponsored by the state
Traditionally Liberal Arts- History, philosophy, Latin, oratory, rhetoric, etc.
Teacher colleges- formed from normal schools.

27. Contemporary Era
National Defense Education Act of provides federal funds for science, math, foreign language, and counseling
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of federal funds to fight the war on poverty. Provides money to help educate low-income students.
NCLB- current re-authorization of ESEA. Accountability for schools and administrators with emphasis on quality education for all students.

28. Universities for National Development
Industry and Agriculture demands students who are trained in the specific sciences of their trade.
Morrill Act of sets aside 30,000 acres for each senator and representative, given to the state, proceeds to fund agriculture and mechanical colleges.
Focus on agricultural education, engineering, and other applied sciences