Early History of Education in America

someone who learns a skilled trade by watching and helping someone in that trade

in early america, schools run by women in their own homes, and parents paid a fee for their children to attend

a flat wooden board with a handle

public schools available to children from all levels os society

schools that prepared men and women with the necessary skills to become teachers

the first widely used textbooks published during the american common school period that included moral lessons along with science, grammar, and other subjects

members of a reform movement that began in the late 1800s who believed that education should be more idividualized and teach students that skills that would improve the ills of society

the teaching principles developed by maria montessori, an italian doctor, emphasizing self-directed learning through sensory experience

courses of study that prepare students for carrers related to a specific trade or occupation

income beyond that needed for basic necessities, allowing people to buy or do things that they want

immigration laws set limits for people coming to the united states from other countries

europeans came to a new land seeking economic opportunity, religous freedom, and a better society. options for education differed by location. most education took place in the home. schools that did not exist were primarily for elementary grades. a few universities and colleges were founded during this period. most older children worked on family farms or buisnesses. some learnedskills through apprenticships. the role of teachers was to teach, be role models, and act as examples of moral behavior.

it began with the american revolution. america was still primarily a rural nation. change occured more quickly in cities. schools were seen as a vehicle for making a better society. ideas and traditions of europe had less of an influence. religion played less of a role in education. teaching skills were focuased on teaching skills to help students enter feild such as agriculture, buisiness, and shipping. the role of teachers was to be positive role models of good citizenship for their students. they were expected to be involved, making the communtiy a better place through both church participation and involvement in community issues.

he believed that understanding science helped to understand people and societies. he began the first public library. he worked to expand educational opportunities to anyone who could pay the tuition and attend, regardless of their religios beliefs. he influenced schools to teach good citizenship and a wide variety of subjects

he believed that education was the key to making the newly formed democracy a success. if common people were well educated, theycould take part in democratic government, and it would thrive. he introduced legislation to divide countries into smaller districts taht were responsible for a public system of education. he wanted to make sure that elementary schools were available without cost. he also established the university of virginia.

Labor-saving devices gave people more time for other interests and pursuits. Americans realized the injustice of slavery and worked to end it. The freeing of slaves altered American life. By the end of the period, free public education for many was more widely available. The role of teachers was to usually teach all grades. African American Education in this period was often done in secret because it was feared that education would lead to rebellion in the South. Former slaves in the North faced social and economic obstacles. Quaker schools allowed African American students to attend. Educated African Americans set up schools. The first African American colleges were founded. Most schools remained strictly segregated.

He was the first secretary for the State Board of Education in Massachusetts. He worked to establish free, public education for every boy and girl in Massachusetts. The first public state-supported schools were established, giving the same education to people from different levels of society. He tried to improve and standardize schools. He established teacher training schools. He advocated the establishment of free libraries. He increased state funding for public schools by using state taxes to pay for education. He believed schools should be nonsectarian and not teach any specific belief system.

Friedrich Froebel developed the idea for kindergarten. He believed that young children learned best through play. The first kindergarten classes were intended to help poor children succeed in school. Today, educational programs for young children are still based on play and social interaction.

Also known as the Land-Grant College Act gave federal land to establish colleges in every state. These colleges provided practical education in agriculture, home economics, and other useful professions to people from all social classes. These colleges made higher education available to Americans nationwide.

Women were gaining more rights. European immigrants poured into the cities. The Industrial Revolution changed the nature of both work and society. It was a time of business expansion and reform. Members of this movement called themselves Progressives. They wanted to make America a better and safer place to live, and education was part of that. Many children worked in the cities, limiting their educational opportunities. Schools were overcrowded. Progressives fought for reducing the hours children could work in factories. By 1920, all states had laws requiring children to attend elementary school. schools were segregated, which ment African American children attended separate public schools that received less funding. Educational materials were scarce and inferior, often the cast-offs from the "white" schools. African American teachers could only teach in African American schools. the role of teachers was considered to be professional. Teacher preparation programs in colleges replaced normal schools. There was more emphasis on educational theories. Many teachers were unhappy with the emphasis on standardization. They wanted more freedom in the classroom. The first teachers' labor union was formed. The union fought to improve the pay, status, and working conditions of teachers. Many women became teachers and a few rose to positions as school principals. Women achieved the right to vote.

The influence of the Progressive movement in education continued. Economic prosperity continued until the Great Depression. the economy impacted the schools because Schools expanded during the good economic times of the 1920s. During the Great Depression, schools faced a shortage of cash, since any people were unable to pay their taxes. Some schools closed. Teacher pay was cut or eliminated. Course offerings were cut back to basic subjects. Many children went to work. The federal government provided funds to hire teachers and purchase supplies. Schools offered free hot lunches for children. As a part of the program to employ others, better schools were built. Schools were working to recover.

he believed that classrooms were too rigid and inflexible. He believed that schools should place a greater emphasis on the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. He promoted the link between learning and experience. He believed social interaction aided learning. Educators, influenced by his work, began focusing on the role of the teacher as guiding learning.

She tried to find ways to help children who had difficulty learning. She believed that young children are capable of great discovery and motivated to explore the world. She believed that sensory experiences should come before learning to read and write. Her method considers all of a child's needs, not just intellectual needs. The classroom provides stimulating environments. Children direct their own learning with teachers as their partners.