COMMON SCHOOL ERA

“The common school reform brought education into the service of the public goals of the government and created new forms of school organization.  It established and standardized state systems of education designed to achieve specific public policies” (104).

 

Aspects/Contributors of Common School:

Irish-Catholics vs. Protestants-

         *Freedom of Religion

         *Religious practices in school

         *Protestants dominated

 

African American-

         *1812 First African American school

         *Still focused on Anglo culture

         *When African Americans reentered schools, there was still tension

 

Native American-

         *Segregated because considered a threat

         *Removal Act

         *Cherokee Nation establishes school with literacy level at 100%

 

Workingman-

         *School for everyone

         *Representation for the working class

         *Everyone contributes, everyone benefits

 

Whigs vs. Democrats-

         *Elite/working class segregation

         *Opposed government interference with slavery

         *Rights for Lower Class

 

Horace Mann-

         *Teachers= police, moral force

         *12^th annual report= taxation for schools

         *Wasp values will save society

 

Inner workings of the Common School-

         *Human nature directed by training

         *Patriotism

         *Parents inadequate for moral training