Chapter 6

Historical Developmentof American Education

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Colonial Education

• New England: Puritan education, stressing religion to counter child depravity. Early public town schools, followed by private Latin grammar school and university for upper-class boys.

• Middle Atlantic: Diverse religious schools, for-profit schools emphasizing practical skills.

• South: Private tutors for children of wealthy, followed by boarding school. Skills training, but no reading instruction, for slave children.

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The Movement Toward Public Schooling

• Voluntary alternatives to tax-supported schools: Monitorial and Sunday schools

• Common Schools: Elementary level, established state by state, included one-room schools on the frontier

• Public High Schools: Added in 19th century

• State Colleges and Universities: Added in 19th century

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History of American High Schools

• 1600s: Private Latin grammar schools,For-profit skills schools

• 1700s: Private academies included both practical and scholarly curricula, as well as normal schools for teachers

• 1800s: Public high schools introduced, grow more popular in second half of century

• 1900s - 2000s: Growth of large, comprehensive high schools and continuing efforts to determine appropriate curricula

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Assimilationism• Focuses on developing

a single American identity

• Discourages or forbids students’ use of native languages

• Discourages or forbids cultural customs or learning styles that do not fit American ideal

• Curriculum emphasizes western European cultural heritage

Multiculturalism• Encourages diverse

cultural identities

• Bilingual education is often an option

• Accommodates diverse learning styles and appreciates contributions of diverse cultural customs

• Curriculum recognizes diverse cultural heritage

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Recent Historical Trends

• Emphasis on educational technology

• Multiculturalism in education

• Gender equity

• Protection against violence, bullying and harassment

• Inclusion for students with disabilities