Online History of American Education

The education system in the United States has undergone dramatic changes since the days when the country was first settled. Once the British began settling the colonies, the education system was based on the system in place in England. The use of hornbooks and dame schools were common in the early days, and provided a simple method of education for children.

As the years progressed, education also progressed. The country has seen time periods when minorities and girls were not able to get the same educational opportunities as white boys. Also during the early years, children left school early to begin working or to begin a job as an apprentice. However, in the early 1800’s Horace Mann had a plan to create a system of professional teachers for school children. The Mann Reforms were a big step in improving the teaching profession. The reforms and changes in the education system continued until the early 1900’s when it became mandatory for all children to go to school until at least 14 years old.

Changes in school reform continued into the 20^th Century to have an education system that we enjoy today. To understand the evolution of the education system in the United States, visit the following resources:

Colonial Era (prior to 1776)

• Colonial Education – helpful resource with information on how education was in the colonial era.
• Colonial Period of Education – informative site showing how the education system of the pre-Revolutionary War period worked.
• Colonial America Education – educational article discussing the workings of the school system in the 1600 & 1700’s.
• Colonial Education – useful web page covering the educational system in the colonies.
• Education in Colonial America – slide show talking about the education system in Colonial America including Hornbooks and Dame Schools.

Early American Education (1776 – 1840)

• Rise of the Common School – a look at the post revolutionary era and the changes in the education system.
• 19^th Century Education – informative resource detailing the growth in education during the 19^th Century.
• One Room Schoolhouse – look at a one room schoolhouse in Rhode Island which was the typical setting of students in the early 1800’s.
• Franklin’s Education Vision – an informative article on Benjamin Franklin’s vision for education.
• Father of American Education – biographical look at Horace Mann, the father of American Education.

Late 19th Century (1840-1880)

• Civil War Education – helpful information on the educational system during the Civil War.
• Late 19^th Century Education – educational improvements are outlined in this article about changes made in the late 1800’s.
• 19^th Century Education – information on the Common School era of the late 19^th Century.
• Women Education – useful information on the education of women in the United States.
• Education in Civil War America – informative look at education during and after the Civil War.

Early 20^th Century (1880-1920)

• Jim Crow Laws – information on post-Civil War America and the segregation laws that were in effect.
• 1900’s Education – look at education and other aspects of life in America in 1900.
• Turn of the Century Schools – collection of resources on education during the early 1900’s.
• America at School – an early 20^th Century look at education in the United States.
• History of Education – information on education by decade in the 20^th Century.

Modern Education (1920 – today)

• 20^th Century Education – overview of the current education system in the United States.
• Developments in Education – look at the changes in education during the 20^th Century.
• 1950’s Education – information on education and other areas of the 1950’s America.
• History of Education – listing of resources on the history of education in the United States.
• History of Education Museum – resourceful site containing information on the history of education.

Other Education Resources

• Educational History Resource Guide – useful information about educational history.
• Women in Education – helpful information about the history of women in education.
• Higher Education – perspectives on the history of higher education in the United States.
• African American Education – historical look at the African American advances in education.
• Computers in Education – timeline of the history of computers in the world of education.