The Influence of Horace Mann on Educational Reform
The Influence of Horace Mann on Educational Reform
Terri Schryer
St. Petersburg College
EDF 3660
Fall 2011 Abstract
This paper discusses the influence of Horace Mann on the issue of education of the masses, evident in his dedication to improving the quality of education through the process of improving teacher education, increasing available funding, and standardizing the quality of educational experience provided to its students. It addresses specifically the areas presented in several of Mann’s Annual Reports published during his tenure including the areas of school buildings, moral values, school discipline, and the quality of teachers.
The Influence of Horace Mann on Educational Reform
Biography
Horace Mann was born in 1796 in Franklin Mass on the heels of the Enlightenment. The farm on which he was raised provided all the family needed. Horace, the youngest child, was basically home-schooled, learning farming, traditional values, and responsibility through the numerous chores required of farm life. Between his parents and his older siblings, he was taught reading, math and religious doctrine. (Kizer) When Mann later claimed to be primarily self-taught, his sister Lydia reminded him that, “Every day of your life when you were with your parents and sister, you were at school and learning that which has been the foundation of your present learning."(Tozer, Senese, and Violas 63) Eventually, Mann attended and graduated from law school and made a name for himself as a gifted speaker. He did not really enter into the academic arena until 1837 at the age of 41. At that time, he was supporting the idea that state funding earmarked for the militia be used instead to finance the state's common schools. Out of this issue was formed the state board of education, which would provide information to the local school districts. Mann took the position of secretary and served from 1837-1848. This turned out to be
Terri Schryer
St. Petersburg College
EDF 3660
Fall 2011 Abstract
This paper discusses the influence of Horace Mann on the issue of education of the masses, evident in his dedication to improving the quality of education through the process of improving teacher education, increasing available funding, and standardizing the quality of educational experience provided to its students. It addresses specifically the areas presented in several of Mann’s Annual Reports published during his tenure including the areas of school buildings, moral values, school discipline, and the quality of teachers.
The Influence of Horace Mann on Educational Reform
Biography
Horace Mann was born in 1796 in Franklin Mass on the heels of the Enlightenment. The farm on which he was raised provided all the family needed. Horace, the youngest child, was basically home-schooled, learning farming, traditional values, and responsibility through the numerous chores required of farm life. Between his parents and his older siblings, he was taught reading, math and religious doctrine. (Kizer) When Mann later claimed to be primarily self-taught, his sister Lydia reminded him that, “Every day of your life when you were with your parents and sister, you were at school and learning that which has been the foundation of your present learning."(Tozer, Senese, and Violas 63) Eventually, Mann attended and graduated from law school and made a name for himself as a gifted speaker. He did not really enter into the academic arena until 1837 at the age of 41. At that time, he was supporting the idea that state funding earmarked for the militia be used instead to finance the state's common schools. Out of this issue was formed the state board of education, which would provide information to the local school districts. Mann took the position of secretary and served from 1837-1848. This turned out to be
References: (1844). Remarks on the seventh annual report of the hon. horace mann, secretary of the massachusetts board of education. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown.Retrieved from http://www.archive.org/stream/remarksonseventh00asso#page/n1/mode/2up Kizer, K. (n.d.). Puritans. Retrieved from http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.htmlGardner, J. (1990). Tozer, Steven, Guy Senese, and Paul Violas.School and Society: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives. 6. Chicago: McGraw Hill, 2009. 63-79. Print. Yeats, W. B. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/eduquote.htm