Education
Perspectives from the Contemporary Policy Institute. Episode One, History of Public Education in the United States. Background: Product of the Enlightenment. The 1780s, France, development of the individual through state-sponsored education emphasizing critical thinking. United States Phase 1 1635, Boston Latin School became the first secondary school in the US. 1642, New England towns required to hire teachers, but attendance not mandatory. Reading -writing –Latin-religion- classics Established the right to school instruction At age 7, Latin and Greek Mostly classical education modeled on British schools with religious instruction. Phase 2 1751, Ben Franklin, Philidelphia, “useful learning.” Modern languages, history, science, navigation. Boys only. Mostly private academies, some public subsidies. 1778 Phillips Academy, in Andover MA real business of living Southern US, different plan, public support for the poor only. Industrialization and urbanization produce a gradual call for the state being responsible for ed for all. Germany and France lead; US and UK slower to adopt, first for poor only (charity) Jefferson; Democracy requires an enlightened citizenry. 1779, Jefferson tries to have VA fund 3 years of universal ed; not successful. Phase 3 Up until the 1850s private, mostly religious schools predominate. 1837, Breakthrough Horace Mann Supt of Ed for MA. Free education through High School, but not mandatory. 1850s academics, math and reading, become common, public school att. About 59% (Elementary) 1870 MI supreme court upholds state funding for HS State-mandated Elementary education funding By 1900 31 states mandate public ed. - 8-14; only 500,000 students in HS; 3-4% go to college. By 1918 all states require some elementary ed. 1920’s, math, English, social studies, etc. Smith-Towner Bill, federal funds for public schools. Helped dissolve near-monopoly of parochial schools Ironically, partly encouraged by anti-immigrant fear of not integrating into American society. By 1950, 95% to HS. About the same today. Helped drive the success of the US economy. Helps in promoting diversity (all go to the same school.) Provides common experience. Phase 4 Today’s challenges in public education. What do we mean by public? Movement for vouchers, charters, etc. change the idea of universal public education. Usually sold as “choice’ without mentioning taxpayer money Now for-profit players, religious and non-profit players, with specific agendas draining public schools which stick to broad universal mandate with private schools available at private cost. Sources: Wikipedia; National Center for Educational Statistics; Encyclopedia Britannica; Teachers Curriculum Institute.