Unit 1 The World in 1900 Part 3: Education

Warm Up All children in the US are entitled, by law, to a free appropriate public education. Why do you think such laws were passed? Do you think these laws are important? Why or why not? ______________________________________________

Around the time of the Civil War, some states had public schools. Still many children received no education at all Most students who did go to school left within 4 years Very few went to high school

Compulsory Education BBetween 1865 and 1895: 31 states passed laws requiring weeks of compulsory school attendance for children between the ages of 8-14 Why did reformers push for compulsory education for children? They argued that without an education, young Americans wouldn’t have the knowledge or skills required to take part in civic affairs or get a good job

Old School

BBy 1900, ¾ of American children between the ages of 8-14 attended school What did they study in school? –R–Reading, writing, and arithmetic KKindergarten programs were added DDiscrimination in education: 62% of white children attended school, while only 34% of African American children did

High School BBecause of Industrial Age – the economy demanded advanced technical and managerial skills ,000 students attended HS high schools ,000 students attended HS - 5,500 high schools SScience, civics, home economics, history, and literature were added to the curriculum VVocational courses – carpentry, drafting, mechanics for males and secretarial and book keeping for females FFor the most part, African Americans were excluded from high school

Education for Immigrants WWere encouraged to go to school IImmigrant children were “Americanized” and learned to speak English AAdult immigrants went to night school to learn to speak English and to qualify for American citizenship SSome employers even offered daytime programs to Americanize their workers CCatholic schools were set up because many public schools had mandatory bible reading Wanted their children to have a catholic education

Higher Education OOnly 3% attended college CCurriculum: modern languages, engineering, economics, physical sciences, psychology, sociology, law, and medicine