Colonial Education
In the colonial days in America both boys and girls of upper class families received education, yet children from poorer families did not. They took on apprecticeships to learn specific skills that would help them in a certain job in colonial life.
Boys and girls from wealthy white families learned reading, writing, arithmetic, poems and prayers. The Bible, a primer, and a hornbook were the three most commonly used books. A hornbook is a wooden board with a handle that had a lesson sheet attached with the ABCs in small and capital letters, some syllables and often a prayer. This was used because paper was scarce and costly. Thus, children also relied heavily on memorization. Boys were trained in more advanced academic subjects and would continue their education at boarding schools in England with the intention of becoming a lawyer, doctor, or plantation owner. The education of girls was taught with the expectation that they would be the mistress of a plantation so they were taught how to record household expenses, cooking, weaving, and other household duties.
The Massachussetts Laws of 1642 and 1647 (The Old Deluder Satan Act) were passed during colonial times to ensure that education was compulsory. It really didn’t have to do with “school” but they wanted to make sure their children knew the principles of religion and the capital laws of the commonwealth. In this respect, religious concerns laid the groundwork for compulsory education. The Old Deluder Satan Act was passed to make sure that every town of 50 families had to hire a teacher, and every town of 100 families had to hire a grammar teacher, to ensure that the students were prepared for college.
Personally speaking, I see some similarities today...having taught inner city for the last 9 years. One of the reasons that I love the population that I work with, is that they have the same desire to learn that wealthier kids do. Kids are kids. BUT...they don't have the same resources...and the best teachers go to the schools that they know they are going to have those resources. Thus, our "poor" kids are still getting less of an education. They deserve just as much as anyone...especially if we want the cycle to break. If teachers don't take an active interest in them, then they themselves lose interest in learning and drop out. When they have their own kids, then they are not going to have an active interest in education and they demonstrate that to their kids and the cycle repeats again.