The History of Schools in the United States

In the United States today, we have a general belief that education should be free and universal. In 1642, the Massachusetts Bay Colony became the first in America to require all children to receive a formal education for the purpose of understanding their religion and country's laws. Throughout the 1800s, the general belief was that an educated society was beneficial to everyone, legislative talks began that pertained to issues about whether attendance should be compulsory and where funding should come from. What evolved from this were different forms of schools for different aged children and the traditional nine month school year that most schools still follow today. Over the years school curriculum has evolved to reflect the ever changing concerns of society.

Around the turn of the century the curriculum changed from teaching children the basics of reading and writing. Because of the industrial revolution, business leaders wanted workers that had been prepared for their factories, the result was educating students on how to follow a rigid routine and rules. During the progressive movement there was a shift in attitudes about children and education, the new thought was that it is more effective for children to learn through experience and discovery, instead of memorization and subordination. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, there was a fear in the United States that our children could not match the scientific prowess of the east. A new emphasis was places on teaching math and science. Currently there is a schism occuring in the American classroom over what cultures and history should be taught.