Transcript Expanding Public Education
Expanding Public Education
Can you answer these?
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What are the main reasons for expanding education?
What were the factors that contributed to the growth of High Schools?
How was education different for African Americans and for Immigrants?
Purpose of Free Public Education
Only in America To guarantee Democracy • Voters run country; must be informed!!
To level the playing field • No nobility, education is the key to wealth & social status
Expanding Public Ed
1900: Public School = 8 yrs of grade school + 4 years of high school.
• Most children left after Grade 4 to work • 1865-1895 state laws passed req’d 12-16 weeks of school per yr for all aged 8 – 14 • Focus: Reading ,Writing, Arithmetic • Kindergartens became popular 1880s in school: • 62% white children • 34% African American children WHY?
High Schools
The need for more educated workers, managers rose • 1900 curriculum includes Science, Civics, Social Studies, vocation studies Discrimination • African Americans generally not allowed in public secondary schools until 1940s Immigrants • Encouraged to go to school • Children sent to be Americanized • Catholics upset about mandatory readings from K. James Bible Set up parochial system • Adults -> Night School to learn English & qualify for citizenship
Higher Education
1880-1920 • Enrollment went up, from 2% to 8% • Research Universities emerged Offered courses in languages, Psychology, Sociology • Professional schools in Law & Medicine established • Private colleges begin entrance exams • State colleges required H.S. diploma
For African-Americans
Excluded from white schools Founded Howard, Atlanta, Fisk Universities • Few could afford, or find donors
Should African-Americans get an education?
Booker T Washington No.
Learn a trade Support your family Achieve Economic Equality through work W.E.B. Du Bois Yes.
The Talented 10 th • Top 10% • Get a professional education • Come back to uplift the community Education is the road to Equality Who’s right? Why?