Chapter 10 Notes

What is the History of American Education and the struggle for Educational Opportunities?

This chapter reviews the history of schooling and education in the United States, pointing out seven important themes and examining the contributions that significant men and women have made rather directly to the work of the teacher.

The seven themes are: 1. Local Control, 2. Universal Education, 3. Public Education, 4. Comprehensive Education, 5. Secular Education, 6. Changing Ideas of the Basics, and 7. Expanding Definitions of Educational Access and Equality.

The three geographic regions of the colonies- New England, the South, and the Middle Colonies developed different types of educational systems, which were shaped by each region's particular settlement patterns.

The New England Primer was the most famous and remained the basic school text for at least one hundred years after the first edition was published in 1690. Discipline in colonial schools was often strict and harsh.

The private venture schools, were licensed by the civil government but not protected or financed by it, flourished, and the use of public funds to educate everyone's children.

After the American Revolution, it was recognized that a democratic government would be only as strong as the people's ability to make intelligent choices, which in turn depended on a basic education for all.

Universal education, one of the key themes of American education, was thus seen by the newly evolving working class as a means of equalizing economic and social opportunities. Interestingly, universal education was meant only for Whites.

In 1919, the Progressive Education Association was established in a formalized attempt to reform education according to the following principles:

1. The child should have freedom to develop naturally.

2. Natural interest is the best motive for work.

3. The teacher is a guide, not a taskmaster.

4. A student's development must be measured scientifically, not just by grades.

5. Students' general health and physical development require attention.

6. The school and the home must work together to meet children's needs.

7. The progressive school should be a leader in trying new educational ideas.