E is for Education, R is for Reform
Whether when referring to the New World or the Gilded Age, America has always been a symbol of hopes and dreams. One of the many pathways to a successful career has always been higher education, but unfortunately, not all Americans have had the chance to appreciate that. Starting in the 19th century, citizens began to look to the government for more help and sponsorship. For example, one of the first educational reform movements was the Common School Reform Movement (1830-1860). This movement outlined their plan as to provide free elementary education to every (white) child, advance state control over schools, and train professionals. This reform movement sparked conversation and influenced the formation of National Educational Association, which was dedicated to professionalize advanced education. In 1823, the first normal school for training of teachers opened in Vermont and allowed individuals to receive certificates.
Post-bellum America was a changed world, leading to different clashes over reform and progressivism. As America progressed towards a more industrial and urban society, more and more children began attending school. This time period was famous also for large scale immigration, and in that context, school became a place of assimilation where material was taught in English and prepared students to be good citizens. However, in the south, public education progressed towards racial segregation. This increase in students is partially due to the increase in child labor laws during this time, which led to a need for the placement of children while their parents were working. More and more states incorporated compulsory education, and surprisingly, used factory management as a basis for scheduling. Promoted by Frederick Winslow Taylor, the Scientific Management principles implemented standardized tests and operations, planning, and monetary rewards for excelling teachers. The adoption of these principles led to rigid school structures and the idea of teaching through drills and memorization- something that has persisted until today.
This time period also included the Progressive movement. One facet of progressivism of the time was the Country Life Movement (1900-1920), a movement dedicated to preserving the rural past through efficiency that was also dedicated to primary education reform. Although, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, urban schools underwent much needed reform, rural systems were largely left alone and quickly fell behind in terms of efficiency. The Country Life Movement called for modern facilities, trained professionals, and expanded curriculums to be implemented into rural schools. Although their actions are to be applauded for, their motives were largely only to support the young children, who they hoped would allow more efficient agriculture techniques to be developed. The Country Life Movement did not go unnoticed, and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed a Commission on Country Life with Hyde Bailey as the head chair. The Commission held public hearings and conducted questionnaires, and in 1944, published recommendations: nationalized extension service, continued surveys, developing agricultural economic techniques, and more.
Education has always been an important facet of American life. As modern life progresses and our world changes, it is vital to remember that remaining stagnant betters no one. E, for education, should always be paired with another letter- R, for reform.
Sources
- Danbom, David B. “Rural Education Reform and the Country Life Movement, 1900-1920.” Agricultural History, vol. 53, no. 2, 1979, pp. 462–474. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3742421.
- Iorio, Sharon H., and M. E. Yeager. “School Reform: Past, Present and Future.” Wichita State University, 25 July 2011. http://webs.wichita.edu/depttools/depttoolsmemberfiles/COEdDEAN/School%20Reform%20Past%20Present%20and%20Future.pdf.
- “COMMISSION ON COUNTRY LIFE.” Liberty Hyde Bailey - A Man for All Seasons, Cornell University Library, http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/bailey/commission/index.html.
I learned a lot from this post about how the education system was reformed and what the goals were at this time. I had not thought very much before about how education must have been impacted by other movements taking place, such the Progressive movement and the Country Life Movement. Also, it is important to consider how reform movements that were meant to better the conditions of education for children also made major contributions to the segregation and racism of the time. While the Common School Reform Movement's plan was to provide free elementary education to every child, you note how this movement was, in reality, another part of American society that was meant to help only white people succeed. These new opportunities for education gave an advantage to the white children of this time by giving them access to more knowledge and skills than people had previously had, in order for them to eventually play a more prominent role in society than perhaps their parents. Nonetheless, these reforms also seem to have been supporting the ideals of white supremacists who believed they had to keep African American members of society restricted in order to keep them from acquiring the kind of power they believed the white people should maintain.
ReplyDeleteJayde - Your post was compelling and relevant to the modern day educational system. It reminded me of how we should see education as a privilege, especially higher education. In such a competitive environment, we often see people trying to achieve that higher grade rather than learning but through progress, people wanted to achieve education for all. It is true that having an education offers more opportunities to all and when you mentioned the Country Life Movement, I thought that this was another example towards a step towards equality in relation to the suffrage movement and equality for African Americans. We often see movement and reforms as positive but like Brynna said, it was merely a change for whites to rise in power, masquerading education "for all" as really education and opportunities for the white. I was also reminded of the Freedmen's Bureau and their attempt at providing schooling for African Americans. The influence of education is synonymous with being successful today and I think it is important (as you mentioned) to remember that there is always a reason why things are the way they are today. If people did not value education as in the past, perhaps we wouldn't be so focused on Yale University or Harvard. Perhaps America may have become a third world country or the world stuck in period, unable to progress.
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