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American Lyceum Movement
Josiah Holbrook's organization that favored the establishment of common schools in the Untied States. Russell, Barnard and Mann would also promote the common school idea. Prussian schooling structures and methods were evaluated and used as models for the common school. -
Compulsory School Tax
Massachusetts pioneers the first mandatory tax for its district and town schools. Others states followed suit as taxing for school funding gained ground. Common schools were publicly supported. -
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Common Schools Established
Between 1830 and 1880 common schools were established through the United States. The spread trickled down from Northern states like Massachusetts and Connecticut to the Middle Atlantic states and then finally to the Southern states. -
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McGuffey Reader
120 Million copies of this reader were sold during this time. The Reader was used to teach spelling and reading and contained a moral focus. -
The Morrill Act
Spearheaded by Justin Morrill and supported by President Lincoln, the Morrill Act, allocated 30,000 acres of public land based on congressional representation in each State. These land grants were to allow for the construction of colleges that focused on agricultural and mechanical instruction. -
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The Growth of the Public High School
As the popularity of the Academy decline the popularity of the public high school increased. This growth occurred as a result of economic, social and political factors. The changes occurred over time and happened slowest in the South. -
The Committee of Ten
Composed of top educators the Committee of Ten was influential in making determinations that provided for course curriculum in schools. Gutek states that, "The Report on the Committee of Ten is an instructive document about educational decision making, especially for policy making." -
College Entrance Requirements Establsihed
Established by the National Education Association these standards provided high schools and colleges with common standards for entrance. This was influential in the fact that constancy in requirements helped standardize curriculums offerings. -
National Defense Education Act
After Sputnik, the federal government was determined to advance research efforts in education that contributed to the national defense. This led to the establishment of the National Science Foundation which helped promote advancements in science and mathematics education in schools. -
The Conant Reports
James Conant's recommendations for high schools regarding curriculum. Interestingly, he recommended a common curriculum that could be enhanced with elective options that provided students opportunities for general academics, vocations and higher level academics.
