Advantages of the Public School Reform:
- the literacy rate would increase due to children getting an education
- everyone can attend school regardless of financial class
- parents don't need to worry about cost because it is covered by the state
- the nation's children would become active citizens of the community
Early 1800's
GOAL of the Public School Reform
Problems with the public school reform
Horrace Mann's Role
- people with no children believed that their tax money could be used differently
- enslaved African Americans were prohibited from attending school
The goal of the public school reform is to prepare students for an increasingly competitive economy.
- the typical American school was a one room schoolhouse
- students ranged from ages three to 20 and older
- they sat on benches and learned to read and count
- only spent a few months in school each year
- teachers were recent college graduates that took teaching jobs just to tide them over until they began their professions
- harsh discipline and primitive conditions
- first secretary of the Massachusetts board of education, created in 1873
- wants to shift burden of financial support from parents to the state
- extend school term to up to 10 months out of the year
- make school the bulk of children's day
- standardize textbooks
- require attendance and punctuality
- divide children into grades based on age and achievements
Before the industrial revolution...
The Public School Reform of the 1800's
Before the industrial revolution began middle class families taught their children at home.
During the industrial revolution, families were not able to teach children at home. Private schools were the only places children could attend.
During the industrial revolution...
Rich families had the opportunity to receive education.
Urban middle class families had to work in the farms because it was the family's responsibility to maintain great crops.
Poor families had to search for food all day and try to find jobs.