Reflection #19 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #19 EDF1005 From Dame schools to Public High Schools

Dame Schools exist in the medieval times of education. These schools were private elementary type schools that were run by women often of no substantial educational back ground. The focal point of these schools was to function as a daycare center. However the teaching and learning process was centered on learning how to spell and a negligible amount learned mathematics and grammar. Dame Schools became extinct in Britain due to the introduction of compulsory education which requires specific standards to be met.

Like most medieval society, formal education was structured for men and the women’s place was in the home. Even then, Americans valued education and hence the influence of the law passed in Massachusetts Bay that all communities with fifty or more families will have to hire a teacher. However schools remain private with great emphasis on literacy. It is important to know that at one point the U.S had one of the highest literacy rates at the time. While education was booming in the 1800’s some African American was afforded to opportunity to be educated while their counter parts in the southern states were deprived of an education due to the fact that enslaved blacks were prohibited to literacy.

By the end of the 1800’s teachers received some type of formal education to meet the requirements of normal schools which were elementary schools. It was not until after the American Civil War that the south offered universal public education. Then by the late 1870 free elementary education was established. Even though this was seen as a great stride for education the issue of segregation arises in all schools and then later span over to all public facilities. As the need for education arises, local schools received tax dollars and this was extended to parochial schools as well. Parochial schools were Christian school that taught both Christian principles and the regular curriculum. Over the years many controversies and concerns influences officials to limit or prohibit founding of Christian schools. This was due to the fact that some thought they were potential avenues for social segregation.

By the twenty first century education was seen as a major route to greater economic development. This new emphasis paved the way for the education of youths in the twenty first century, and set the nation significantly apart from its counterpart. It is said that this achievement was due to the diversity of newly introduced concepts such as openness, public founding, separation of state and church just to name a few. I highly appreciate these strides and openly welcome the ongoing process of educational development.