Education in the 1800's
Before diving into the critics of the Education system in the 1800’s it is important to examine what educational institutions consisted of. Common schools were not easily accessible and the curriculum consisted of religious and basic literacy instruction. There was a division between colonies which meant education was not the same for all. In the United States, if one could not read or have European descent, they were not considered a citizen. For the enslaved, they were taught in a separate school system. As education continued to sprout, those in poor societies sent their children to infant schools because the government believed they could not raise proper children (Booker, 2009). During this time schools were separated into districts and became public or private schools.1
For students, punishment looked like staying after school, reading a proclamation, or being locked up in a basket in front of the school (Edward, 2019). This is because most educators were male and this was done on purpose to “motivate students”. The early 1800s brought science and engineering into classrooms because it was believed that work skills would spread, meanwhile, women were being educated to become “good citizens.” The purpose of education was to focus on political and social characteristics.2
1Up from slavery, May 28, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1093/owc/9780199552399.001.0001.
2A Brief History of School In the United States.” The Cultural and Social Foundations of Education, 2019. https://link-springer-com.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/book/10.1007/978-3-030-24397-5.