2. The Early History of Education in America6
The Early History of Education in America

3. The Early History of Education in America
explains how schools developed
is characterized by historical events and social trends
explains much about today’s schools

4. What historical events do you know of that changed the evolution of American schools?
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5. Give examples of how education during the American Colonial Period reflected local culture and beliefs.
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6. The American Colonial Period (16001776)
Before an educational system existed, education took place in the home
Parents taught
basic reading and arithmetic skills
practical learning for life and work
Some elementary schools were established in well-populated areas
Many older children became apprentices
continued

7. The American Colonial Period (16001776)
Puritans in New England believed in religious education and learning to read the Bible
Middle colonies were more diverse; no common school system
Tolerant Quakers established first schools that welcomed all regardless of sex, religion, or race
continued

8. The American Colonial Period (16001776)
In the southern colonies, social and economic class divisions were rigid
Boys were educated at home by tutors
Girls and the middle class had few opportunities for formal education
Slaves were only taught useful skills
Dame schools were open to boys and girls

9. Trace changes in the preparation, roles, and status of teachers over time.
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10. The Role of Teachers Expected to be examples of moral behavior
Could not drink, smoke, or marry
Required to attend church regularly and participate in civic events
Expected to perform charitable acts

11. School Curriculum Basic reading, writing, simple math, religion
Training for trades, navigation, plantation management
Home management skills for girls
Hornbooks used for instruction

12. Do you think you could have become well educated during the American Colonial Period? Why?
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13. The American Early National Period (17761840)
Educational changes began in cities and spread to rural areas
Less European influence; education promoted ideas of freedom and liberty
Religion played less of a role

14. Analyze how key people in early education reform responded to concerns of the time.
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15. Benjamin Franklin Began the first public library
Started a secondary school
Open to everyone who could pay tuition
Covered a broad range of subjects
Precursor to modern public schools

16. Thomas Jefferson Third president of the United States
Believed common people should be educated to take part in the government
Helped establish a public system of education available without cost
continued

17. Thomas Jefferson Established the University of Virginia
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18. The Role of Teachers Models of good citizenship, which involves
involvement in church and community issues
obeying laws and rules
respecting authority

19. School Curriculum Reading, writing, math
Christian principles and citizenship
Greek, Roman, English, and American history
Wealthy boys learned
Greek, Latin, English grammar
advanced math, geography, literature, science

20. How was learning in the American Early National Period different from learning during the American Colonial Period?
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21. Describe how educational opportunities changed from colonial times forward.
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22. The American Common School Period (18401880)
Significant events included
movement west to Oregon and California
invention of labor-saving devices
Civil War and freeing of slaves

23. Horace Mann
Served as first secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education
Worked to establish free public education for every boy and girl
Common schools were first public state-supported schools
Established normal schools to improve and standardize schools
continued

24. Horace Mann Advocated the establishment of free libraries
Used state taxes to support public schools
Believed schools should not teach specific religious belief systems

25. African American Education
Laws in the South prohibited educating African Americans
Quaker schools allowed attendance of African American students
After the Civil War, northern missionaries started schools in the South
These schools lacked funds to provide a quality education, were short-lived

26. The Role of Teachers
In rural areas, one teacher taught all grades in a schoolhouse
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continued

27. The Role of Teachers Low salaries were paid by community members
Normal schools allowed teachers to be trained and better prepared
Women were able to make a living on their own

28. School Curriculum Significant changes included
establishment of kindergartens
the use of McGuffey readers
the passing of the Morrill Act

29. Kindergarten Concept developed by German educator Friedrich Froebel
Used songs and games to help poor children succeed in schools
Foundation of today’s kindergartens, based on creative play and social interaction

30. How do you think the addition of kindergartens affected the American education system?
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31. The McGuffey Readers Textbooks became widely available
Reverend William Holmes McGuffey was asked to write a textbook
Taught moral lessons, reading, spelling, history, biology, botany, literature, speech
Wide use contributed to standardization of American education

32. The Morrill Act Also known as the Land-Grant College Act
Gave federal land to establish colleges
Provided education in useful professions
Made higher education available to all Americans

33. The American Progressive Period (18801921)
Industrial Revolution drew rural population, immigrants to cities
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continued

34. The American Progressive Period (18801921)
Urban areas: overcrowding, poverty, disease
Parents and children worked long hours in factories
Progressives began a reform movement

35. Segregated Education
African American children attended separate public schools that received
less funding
inferior educational materials
African American teachers were paid significantly less

36. The Role of Teachers
College teacher preparation programs replaced normal schools
Emphasis placed on educational theory
First teachers’ labor union formed
More women entered the workforce

37. What do you think was the most significant role of teachers during this period?
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38. School Curriculum Focus turned to students as individuals
Citizens trained to think critically and independently could improve living and working conditions
Thousands of high schools opened
High school diploma became important in finding a job

39. John Dewey Leading progressive Believed schools
were too inflexible
needed great emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking
Promoted link between learning and experience

40. Maria Montessori
Believed sensory experiences help young children learn
Developed the Montessori method
Use classrooms as stimulating environments
Children direct their own learning

41. Career and Technical Education
Vocational education is now called career and technical education
Prepares students for specific trades and occupations for skilled workers
Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 established federal funding for high school classes

42. Research how education developed in your community.
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43. The 1920s and the Great Depression Era (19211940)
In the 1920s, more people had disposable income
As credit became available, consumer education was needed
Quotas set on number of immigrants
Stock Market crash put the country into the Great Depression

44. Impact of Economy on Schools
Citizens were unable to pay taxes; schools faced a shortage of funds
School districts ceased operation or shortened the school year
Teacher pay decreased or eliminated
Only basic subjects were taught
Families had no money for school supplies
Children were forced to work
continued

45. Impact of Economy on Schools
Federal government gave funds to hire teachers and purchase supplies
Schools offered free hot lunches for children
Better schools were built to provide employment

46. How do the economic condition of schools today compare to that during the Great Depression?
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47. “Dick and Jane” Readers
Books taught basic reading skills
Helped standardize education
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48. American Colonial Period: children receive basic and religious education
American Early National Period: education to prepare children for participation in democratic government
American Common School Period: schools become more standardized, formal teacher training programs established
continued

49. American Progressive Period: push for educational reform to improve society
1920s: educational reform continued during economic prosperity
1930s: Great Depression, education returned to basics

50. What did American Colonial Period schools use in place of books?
hornbooks
Who worked to establish free, nonsectarian, public education for every boy and girl?
Horace Mann
continued

51. What was the purpose of the Morrill Act?
gave federal land to establish colleges in every state
Who believed that sensory experiences should come before learning to read and write?
Maria Montessori

52. apprentice. Someone who learns a skilled trade by watching and helping someone in that trade. In early America, some apprentices worked without pay for an agreed-upon period in exchange for their learning.

53. career and technical education
career and technical education. Courses of study that prepare students for careers related to a specific trade or occupation.
common schools. Public schools available to children from all levels of society.

54. dame schools. In early America, schools run by women in their own homes. Parents paid a fee for their children to attend.
disposable income. Income beyond that needed for basic necessities, allowing people to buy or do things that they want.

55. hornbook. A flat wooden board with a handle
hornbook. A flat wooden board with a handle. A sheet of paper—usually containing the alphabet, a prayer or two, and Roman numerals—was pasted on the board. A thin, flat piece of clear animal horn was attached to cover and protect the paper. Used during the Colonial Period.

56. McGuffey readers. The first widely used textbooks published during the American Common School Period. They included moral lessons along with science, grammar, and other subjects.

57. Montessori method. The teaching principles developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian doctor, emphasizing self-directed learning through sensory experiences.
normal schools. Schools that prepared men and women with the necessary skills to become teachers.

58. Progressives. Members of a reform movement that began in the late 1800s. They believed that education should be more individualized and teach students the skills that would improve the ills of society.
Quotas. Limits. Immigration laws set limits for people coming to the United States from other countries.