EDF 1005 Reflection Paper #17

Jackie Lawrence
EDF 1005
Reflection Paper # 17

In contemporary America, the majority of children attend some type of government financed educational system. We go by the 5-3-4-4 model, and while many people decide not to attend college, most receive a high school diploma or equivalent. During America’s beginnings, many children couldn’t afford to go to school at all. They were forced to work in the factories or on the farms instead. Hundreds of years of reform and governmental influence has proved effective in attendance rate, as well as a variety of other issues.
In colonial America, the Puritans established common schools, which were founded on the belief that a strong religious focus would maintain social order and ensure success. Also, it was important to ensure church attendance, and an education with a religious background would help. Common schools were private and funded mainly through the parents of the students. Today, only private schools still draw on religion as a main part of the curriculum, and even Catholic schools make it a priority to provide background history on a variety of world religions.
In terms of discrimination, colonial schools did a good job making Native American citizens feel unwanted. They attempted to “Americanize” them, versus celebrating their diversity and helping them find their place in the American lifestyle. However, African Americans had it the worst, and continue to face prejudices today. Slavery, segregation, and other forms of discrimination have had a profound impact on African American education in America, and continue to do so in less obvious ways.
The first school that specifically taught young women in New England how to be successful teachers was founded in 1839. The hopeful attendees had to pass a general knowledge test on a variety of subjects in order to get in. Up to this point in history, teaching had not been considered a respectable job; the upper class was too good for this profession as teachers were only paid $30 a month. Although teachers are still underpaid in comparison to how hard they work, at least they are looked at with more respect. According to President Bush’s reform, by the year 2000, “The nation's teaching force will have access to programs for the continued improvement of their professional skills needed to instruct and prepare all American students for the next century. U.S. students will be first in the world in science and mathematics achievement.” Teachers today as viewed as primary influences over a child’s fragile development, and trusted to mold them into successful, thriving adults.