Horace Mann
Chase Stevens
Biographical Information
Horace Mann was born on May 4, 1796. His Father was a farmer so they didn't have much money. Horace didn't have hardly any schooling his whole life but ended up teaching himself through the use of public library. When he turned 20 years old he enrolled at Brown University and graduated as valedictorian in only 3 years.
Description of Movement
The Education Reform was very needed in the United States at the time. Few areas actually had public schools, and even then they weren't very good and didn't really teach what they should have. On the other hand, wealthy families sent their children to private schools, which were much better but not everyone could actually afford it. The actual reform started in Massachusetts when Horace Mann, a new supervisor of education, was elected. The citizens then voted to pay a higher tax to build better schools, to pay teachers a higher salary, and to establish special training schools for teachers. Mann then lengthened the school year to 6 months and made some improvements to the curriculum. Soon after, many other states accepted the new education plan and began using it through the North and Western states.
Why did they get involved?
Horace Mann did not only get involved in the movement, he started the movement. He grew up as the son of a poor farmer so he couldn't afford to go to private school like some of the more wealthy families. He did attend public school, but not much of it. Most of what he learned was self taught. When he grew up he realized that he wanted to improve the public school system because he knew how bad it actually was. He didn't want other children to have to waste their time in the public schools that he attended when he was a kid.
How were they involved in the movement?
As stated before Horace Mann lead the Education Reform. He was very successful in this movement, as he is called "The Father of Modern Schooling." All of the states eventually accepted his plan and even further down the road schools were open to African Americans and women.
Horace Mann - The Father Of American Education