Horace Mann in Education

Horace Mann, the State’s Superintendent of Education in the early 1800s had a lot to change in the Education system. Mann believed the crime rates were too high in the United States and citizens were acting out. He decided that the problems were arising due to citizens being educated inadequately.  His focus was to create the Common School System where American standards are practiced and learned. This system would allow all people to attend public school to learn how to become good citizens. 

Horace Mann hoped that educating the youth would decrease crime rates in the United States (Common School Assistance, 1990). This would be done through courses that focus on performing arts, academics, and physical education. However, it is important to note that religion was practiced daily in the schools. Students would be disciplined in a way that supports classroom management. Although, those with disabilities were excluded from attending school because they were viewed as “flawed within themselves” (Common School Assistance, 1990). 

The common phrase “The American Dream” was an expectation Horace Mann sought American students to seek. He believed that children were being educated to create one culture that consisted of many cultures. Horace Mann believed that the youth should not be smarter than the government but learn for the people in power. In other words, students would learn to work and become successful from the government rather than learn enough to change it (Common School Assistance, 1990). ⁴

⁴ Common School Assistance https://ia802301.us.archive.org/28/items/sim_common-school-assistant_1837-09_2_9/sim_common-school-assistant_1837-09_2_9.pdf