Public education began to take shape in the Early National Period from 1750-1800. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson proposed systems of public education to promote social mobility and an enlightened citizenry. Franklin advocated for quasi-vocational schools in Pennsylvania, while Jefferson proposed a three-tiered system in Virginia including basic schools, grammar schools, and college. Both sought to use education to facilitate social advancement for students. Charity schools were also established to educate poor children with the goal of eliminating poverty and crime through moral education. However, these schools faced challenges with costs and enforcing discipline. Segregated schools also emerged in the North, though blacks paid taxes but received fewer educational resources than whites.

1. Schooling in the Early National Period 1750’s to 1800’s

2. Early National Period 10th Amendment Education was a right reserved to the administration of States. 2 Proposals Relating to Education Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson So, began the Enlightenment Period Social Regulation was the key to education

3. Schooling Either basic or elaborately classical (Latin Grammar) 1662 Oxford and Cambridge Universities Forbad non-Anglican students from attending. People’s colleges – Academies p.10

4. Benjamin Franklin Proposal Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania 1749 Schools were quasi-vocational Facilitated social mobility Learning that counted most was that which would make a boy both employable and socially proper. Puritan view of hard work Led to University of Pennyslvania

5. Franklin’s Academy 1749 Academy in Pennsylvania Boys only Secular Institution Apprenticeships English taught instead of Latin Focus on economic mobility of students rather than religion for lessons Study: morality, oratory, geography, politics, philosophy, human affairs, agriculture, technology, science, and invention.

6. Thomas Jefferson Virginia A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge. 1779 Establish reading and writing schools Funding of William and Mary College Produce Leaders for Commonwealth of Virginia Education served 2 purposes To cultivate a “natural aristocracy” of leadership without religion Perpetuate an enlightened citizenry to keep the nation free from political tyranny.

7. Jefferson 3 tiered system of public education Prepare a natural aristocracy Political leadership Basic education Common man All children sent to reading/writing schools for 3 years. Top male students – go on to Latin Grammar Schools. The best then would go to college WandMary Education provided at public expense

8. Differences Jefferson Democratic ruler Education of middle class would cause mobs. Cultivate learning Local children – basics Free education for 3 years No study of the Bible Could be harmful p.12 Public education for general populace General Diffusion of Knowledge Reading and Writing Schools Quasi-vocational institutions Classical Education for middle class as a means to getting ahead. History was focus not religion Facilitate reason Education for social regulation Both Jefferson and Franklin Public education was a means for achieving social mobility.

9. Poverty Poor -moral dilemma Needed to educated them 1790’s New York had slums Poor adults were viewed an irredeemable Offspring could be saved. School for the poor was thought to get rid of poverty and crime. Freed black were also educated Charity Schools were created

10. Joseph Lancaster-England Need to educate many children with limited funds. Rigidly hierarchical system of education. Educate 1000 students in a single classroom. Education was a machine Each boy had a number which was hung on the wall. The boy would stand under it if present. Students marched to and from their various lessons and activities. Rote memorization Ranked daily – move up in line p.15

11. Charity Schools Harsh discipline like the puritan schools Eliminate crime and poverty Not theologically maintained. Economic and political Quakers Thomas Eddy and John Murray, Jr. New York Free School Society. System of tickets for infractions Moral education rooted in Protestantism Blacks/N.Americans educated South Outlawed West – Boarding schools for Indians – assimilation/cultural annihilation Enforced rigid and brutal discpline

12. Problems with Charity Schools High cost Limited funds Number of children How to properly train them in ways of Industriousness Obedience thrift

13. Catholic Schools Priests were afraid that catholic religion would be assimilated into the protestant faith. Created their one schools Fear and hatred of Catholics during this time because so many were coming to America Largest non-public school system in America

14. Charity Schools Parents had to take a “pauper’s oath” Unfit to instruct their children Cure all for social ills Discussions fueled that “ALL children” should be educated at public expense.

15. Teacher’s in the New Republic Today we are viewed as less competent and dedicated than our predecessors. Myth White and Male Middle Class and young New England – schools were only open 4-6 weeks a year because of funds. Supplement income, not a profession

16. Dame Schools Child tending Pay “good wives” to teach poor children Glorified babysitter Margarethe Schurz (1832-1876) 1st Kindergarten Garden where children grow In her home Watertown Wisconsin

17. Women Educate women Better mothers More marriageable Moral superiority for very young Easier to regulate Seen as social regulation Emma Willard’s Female Seminary New York 1821 Helped with teachers and lower salaries

18. Trivia Can you answer the following question? Who is Ichabod Crane?

19. Teaching Continued… 1700’s Jobs were open to both men and women Cost less to hire women Still largely male dominated Bound by morality clauses p.18 Job anyone roughly educated could do. Drunkenness and financial issues by teachers. Unfit teachers lasted the longest Subject to local opinion – few made careers Ichabod Crane – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Bumbling schoolmaster

20. Segregated Schools North schools for black began Blacks paid their share of taxes Less educational resources were given 1855 Boston signed a law Barring discrimination in schooling based on religion or race.