Reflection 19

The dame schools of colonial America were created mainly for the women that were not able to attend grammar schools. It was used especially during the first century of the colonial development. The women that went to these schools were taught in homes by other women. Dame schools were the first of private elementary schools. They were instructed with only a horn book; there were no desks, blackboards, or maps. Dame schools weren't really thought to be very important, however, it was the school that most women attended. As a matter of fact, today it would be considered as the colonial daycare.

The way of schooling was usually left up to the different colonies. The New England colonies paid more attention to public maintenance, the wanted all the children that were able to attend school to go and become good citizens. The Middle colonies based education power; the students were educated to hold good offices, and to become priests and ministers. The Southern colonies didn't really have any type of implemented school. Students were normally thought through apprenticeships due the rural fields of the South.

Congress wanted schools to become more uniform in their instruction and for education to be mandatory so they passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 law. These law made education mandatory and made schools teach more than just reading, religion, and spelling. Teachers were no longer appointed by the town but were paid for by the government and the rest of the states taxes. Finally, the government had established a school system that was open to everyone regardless of social status; this was the beginning of public schools.

Today, public schools have reached completely new heights. Students can now go to public schools and graduate with the knowledge that the pioneers of education probably never dreamed of. With honors classes, Advanced Placement tests, gifted program, and classes for the students with learning disabilities, everyone has the chance to receive a great public education. Aside from the normal curriculum, there are after school activities and clubs that also give students a chance to be all they can be while in school. Education has evolved to new heights since the dame schools of colonial America, and hopefully they will continue to do so.