Secondary Education

Education in United States has undergone various evolutionary changes. With Horace Mann leading the “Common School Movement” and millions flocking to public schools to attain basic education, America now faced new challenges in preparing individuals to succeed in higher education. In the following dissertation I will be commenting on the evolution of Secondary Education (high school).

In 1880, millions of Americans were inundating the public schools. Horace Mann had succeeded in breaking down the barriers that limited many residents from attaining basic knowledge, and the social scene was beginning to change. With immigrants, former slaves, and women now filling the seats of public classrooms, America was challenged in developing a higher education program and preparing pupils to meet the economic demand. The state of Massachusetts has always taken the lead in advancing the academic genus by establishing the first tax supported elementary school, and the first college in the United States. This time they were focused on introducing the first Secondary Schools (English Classical School) which linked elementary school graduates to higher education (college).

Knowledge had become pivotal, and with thousands of elementary graduates rushing to continue their education, the academic system was met with new challenges. They noticed that public schools only offered students the basic education needed to be competent citizens. This “basic education” did not prepare students for the advance curriculum awaiting them at higher levels of education (college), nor did it help them become marketplace pioneers. Therefore, a solution was submitted to introduce the first secondary school (high schools) which prepared students for achieving higher educational degrees, and possibly helping America become once again a vibrant economy.

Since this concept was premature to those influencing the academic arena, and many were afraid of an inevitable failure, secondary schools were not publicized and became tuition based institutions. It was not until 1874 (Kalamazoo, Michigan Case), did secondary schools become publicized due to legislation passing a bill that supported tax funding for secondary education. With social, ethnic, and religious attributes varying in each classroom, and high schools flooding the academic arena, a new era of education was birthed and democracy once again shined.