(USNewsReport.org) – Education is such an integral part of all our lives, from the time we’re children until we have children of our own and beyond. But have you ever stopped to question how education in America even began? How did it start? Who decided someone in a classroom could teach our children better than we could ourselves?
Education Begins in the Original 13 Colonies
It’s 1635, and the very first public school, Boston Latin School, has opened. Girls would be taught to read but not write. The main focuses of study would be the Bible, family, community and puritan morals. Public schooling would not become common in the southern states until after the American Civil War.
In the 18th century, Common Schools, which had switched from a religiously based education to a state-sponsored education, began to emerge. Here, one teacher could educate children of various ages. Parents housed teachers, paid tuitions or contributed in some way in exchange for their children’s education.
By 1867 education had reached momentum in the US. It was at this time when the Department of Education became established and George Peabody promoted public education in the South by donating $2 million toward the efforts. Public schools could be found in every state by 1870, with secondary schools exceeding the number of private schools.
Modern Schools
While the early 20th century brought about requirements in every state that all children must complete elementary school, it also established the Progressive Education Association. All 50 states would come to the agreement that funded transportation was necessary for school children.
The end of the 1970’s would find the elimination of segregated schools, followed by the introduction to technology. Calculators, computers and computer-aided instruction began making their way into classrooms. With this new technology came new challenges. Teaching methods now needed to adapt to the modern workplace, and there was a need for emotional and social learning.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has been working with schools nationwide to redefine education. It’s no longer an agenda of successfully mastering academics alone, but also soft skills.
Education has never been more important than it is today. There are so many options available: homeschooling, public schools, private schools and online learning, just to name a few. Our next era of education could lead to a future like we’ve never seen before.
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