The 19th century was the beginning of the “common school.” During the mid- and late 19th century, education began to become available to all children. Reformers, Horace Mann and Henry Barnard worked to create school systems for their states and work for a common curriculum for schools. Readers were published which had “great influence” on those students and contained works which were considered substantial pieces of literature. Many of the readers consisted heavy moralistic undertones and pushed that white, protestant people were the model Americans. Some might argue that these schools were used to “Americanize immigrant who had arrived and made a home in America.
Because of the push for everyone to be educated, one room schoolhouses became the norm. Laws began to be passed assisting in the acquiring of land for schools and state colleges. The Northwest Ordinance is a prime example of a state encouraging the funding of schools. High Schools were established in the early 1800’s. These schools offered different tracks for students whether agricultural or educational (leading to university).
Later, during this time period Jim Crow laws came into effect making schools segregated. Plessy v. Ferguson also decided that schools should be separate but equal. Even with the establishment of these laws, all children were to be educated. These laws were not enforced in most cases and we all know that schools were separate but certainly not equal.
As I looked through the pictures found on the site, I was drawn to the picture of the Sheldon Institute in Alaska. On a mission trip to Bethel, Alaska, I was able to visit a school much like the one in the picture. I learned that these schools were much like boarding schools where children were left while parents hunted game before the cold winters set in. These schools were usually run by Christian missionaries who taught the Bible and English as well as other subjects. These schools although well-meant, tended to be viewed as places that took away an Innuit’s heritage.