Conant Views On Education Analysis

Even though the Declaration of Independence does not mention education, our founding fathers did value education. Illustrated by the ordinances they passed “in 1785 and 1787 that granted federal lands to states to create and support public school- an institution that the nation’s founders viewed as essential to democracy and national unification.” (Jennings, p3) In 1959, the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into the Union reconfirmed the Federal government’s support of education. Three distinct elements that impact education are; laws that have been passed, the removal of the church from public schools, and the role of federal government that has evolved and changed over the years. These three factors have transformed education over the

The improvement of education would cost money, but its preventative measures against tyranny would perpetuate the union, which is of utmost importance. This “crusade against ignorance” would cost money, but it is necessary and less costly than the uprising of a tyrant. Education was not a simple way to obtain knowledge. It was the

Carl Kaestle’s Pillars of the Republic focuses on the history of schooling. Kaestle writes about the common school movement in England, the Midwest, the South, and the American Northwest. Kaestle argues that common school systems, the tuition-based elementary school that served all children in the area, were continued and accepted due to the Americans’ commitment to the republican government, the assertiveness of native Protestant culture, and through the development of capitalism (1983, p. X).

Educational policies researcher Joel Spring (1996) discussed many arguments and historical background about various education topics found in the United States. For example, Spring tells us about the historical development of the Common Schools movement and the underlying groups—such as workingmen and political parties—that influenced the movement. In addition, Spring points out some of the implications the movement had on religious, ethnic, and multicultural groups. One particular idea that caught my attention was from the chapter entitled, “The Ideology and Politics of the Common School.” Indeed, my entire conceptual understanding of K-12 education had been predicated on the idea that high schools were part of the original conception of public

Thomas Jefferson remains one of the first advocates for public education, which was later termed the Common School Movement. He recognized the inequality in education, for the wealthy stood the only ones capable of affording an education, thus the poor stayed poor and the rich stayed rich. Jefferson aspired to change the apparent injustices in the education system. He felt all children possessed the right to and education regardless of prosperity, heritage, and circumstances. Even though Jefferson remained not able to create the change he so desperately sought to make, he never stopped trying and since education stayed revolutionized, for his persistence in equality. James Conant, former president of Harvard University stated, “In short, as I view the American scene of the 1960’s, I am ready to declare without hesitation that Jefferson’s proposals have become incorporated in the pattern of our educational structure” (Mercer, 1993).

In Chapter 1 of Spring, the author discusses the goals of public education and whether or not those goals have been met. The chapter is divided into sections. These sections include Political Goals of Schooling, Censorship & American Political Values, Courts & Political Values, and Political Values & State & National Curriculum Standards. Each section the author makes a claim about public education.

In his article “Against School”, John Taylor Gatto satirically poses several questions concerning the purpose, structure, function, and need of the current educational system in the United States. Utilizing anecdotes from his thirty years of teaching experience and extensive research on the historical origins of many modern school customs to justify his tantalizing arguments, Gatto rhetorically inquires about the true motives and rationale behind an outdated institution system which continually steals more than a dozen years of precious life from millions of Americans in the pursuit of furthering a prejudicial class-separation bound together by conformity.

First and foremost, the American Educational System has received numerous advocates offering crucial inputs on education from centuries ago up to the present time. Even so, with focus, shining on past advocates, three well-known men who are still receiving constant acknowledgment for their ideas and contributions regarding the system. Notably, Dewey, Man, and Jefferson all share major impacts, alike and unlike, resulting in significant effects on the American Educational System.

Botstein once argued in his book Jefferson’s Children that “the American high school are obsolete”. In detail, the dissemination

The long-term consequences of the school laws passed by Massachusetts 4.- What did Jefferson mean by a “natural aristocracy”? Although I am not completely sure what Jefferson meant by Natural aristocracy I however, assume that he means those who appear to

Horace Mann and Jane Addams both lived in the 19th century America and were university educated reformers. However, they came of age in very different times, with Horace Mann living during the early years of American democracy and Addams the massive industrial expansion and immigration era of the late 19th century (Gutek, 2011). These differences created distinct educational needs that required very different responses. In the case of Mann the need was for quality instruction for all children and not just the children of the elite. Horace Mann used the skills he developed as a Massachusetts politician and his post as the first secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education to advocate for the creation of Common Schools. These schools

Education received a huge investment doubling the expenditure of each student and a preschool program for students from low-income backgrounds. The president wanted education to be available to the masses regardless of their income which meant the poorest child had an opportunity to receive adequate education. In agreement with President Johnson each child considered as an American citizen needs the public provided education funded by the government when they need aid. Since education involved an individual child required the funds despite the school they attended. The classroom then became the new freedom where American youth would prepare for the modern world because they are the nation’s resources.

Without education, a society would have not have the proper tools needed to produce literature, write documents, or carry out worldly affairs. These shortcomings would lead to bigger problems as other countries advanced in greater educational feats. In 1831, a Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville published a book proclaiming America exceptional after observing the American lifestyle firsthand. De Tocqueville is justified in his claim, as the public school reform movement greatly benefited the American society as a whole. Horace Mann, a main educational reformer, can be credited for advocating the need of a uniformed public school system. His persistence and the modifications made during the public school reform movement display America’s

The history of early education in America is fascinating and complex. Looking back we see many figures that supported and advocated for the right of education. However, this reflection is about two significant men that contribute greatly for the future of the U.S education, Thomas Jefferson and Horace Mann. Thomas Jefferson was the first man to advocate for American civic education. As a political figure, he worked diligently to create an educated republic. On the other hand, Horace Mann is considered the leader of the common school movement. Mann worked as secretary of the board of education, and his policies in education shaped the U.S education.

What are the roles of federal and state government when it comes to American education? The roles of education have evolved from historic liabilities to current liabilities. There are many laws and cases that have had an impact on American education that still has a strong influence on education today such as the debate between church and state, racial desegregation, and education finances. Other impacts as relevant are testing standards and special education programs that have arisen from influences of federal concerns. The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical and current roles that the federal and state government has on education. Other factors to include are individual cases