Public+Education


 * Background:**

Education has had an enormous impact on the lives of children and adults for hundreds and hundreds of years. Education taught value, knowledge, compassion, and other great characteristics. In England, there were struggles in the educational system because of the different classes and the different amounts of income, but later, reforms were made so that the vast majority of children could experience a good education and gain helpful knowledge. Although different classes received more benefits, every child was still entitled to an education. Skills were taught at the schools, which prepared the children for their future lives, whether it was an agricultural life or a life on the battlefield. Education played a big role in the lives of many children, and without it, children would be hopeless.


 * Departure from the Past:**

Many changes were made from the past educational system in England. Education was normally only given to the wealthy classes, but changes were made which benefited those in the lower classes. During the industrial revolution, parents wanted their children to be able to have an education rather than working tiresome days at the factory. According to the primary document, //The Elementary Education Act, 1870,// "every child attending a school provided by any school board shall pay such weekly fee”, but because of the Education Act of 1870, the educational department of the school board could decide on paying for the education of the poor, but financial assistance could be withdrawn at any time. The Education Act also gave rights to women and allowed them to vote on the school boards. This was a big breakthrough because women did not have as many rights as men during the time. The Education Act of 1870 also stated that all children between the ages of 5 and 13 had to go to school.

By the late 1800s, reformers persuaded numerous governments to start public schools and require an education for all children. Reading, writing, and arithmetic was known to produce better citizens. Punctuality, obedience, and authority were taught at schools as well as disciplined work habits and patriotism. This readied the children for their future jobs in the workforce because they were more literate. Children also received basic religious education.

Public education was very shaky in the beginning of the reformation. Many of the teachers were not well educated and some students could only attend school during the times when they were not needed on their farms or in their parents’ shops. More and more children started to attend school as the 1800s passed on and elementary education improved. Teachers were now taught at Normal Schools, where the latest “norms and standards” of educational practices were taught. In 1879, training schools for teachers were established in France. Education for boys and girls became mandatory after 1881 in England. Secondary schools, also known as high schools were also established. In the secondary schools of England, students learned the “classical languages” of Latin and Greek and they also learned history and mathematics. Mainly middle class families could afford sending their sons to the secondary schools. The secondary schools trained students for serious studies and trained them for government jobs. As always, girls did not receive equal amounts of education as the boys. Girls did not learn about science or mathematics, and they did not receive physical education because they were not seen as necessary things for girls to learn.
 * This was what education was like for the children in Britain before the educational reforms in 1870. The rooms were crowded, yet the children were still eager to learn.**

Secondary education was an idea that Napoleon was strong for as well for France. He divided education into two parts, education for those under the age of twelve and education for those over the age of twelve. The lower grades would be taught how to read, write, do arithmetic, and learn about history. The older grades were divided into groups. The two groups were those who wanted a civil career and those who wanted a career in the military. Civil education taught languages and philosophy. The military education stressed mathematics, physics, chemistry, and things that had to do with the military. Graduates were guaranteed employment in their career.

Along with elementary schools and secondary schools, colleges and universities were expanded during this period in England as well. Typically, the students at the universities and colleges were the sons of middle or upper class families. The universities and colleges taught languages, philosophy, religion, and law. By the 1840s, a few small colleges for women were established. In England, Bedford College was introduced and Mount Holyoke in the United States. Emily Davies, a British reformer, campaigned for female students to be allowed to take examinations for Cambridge University. Her campaign was successful, but male Cambridge students began to riot in 1897.

Education rates went soaring in during the 1800s. In 1816, only 875,000 out of 1.5 million children received education of some kind for some period of time. By 1835, 1.45 million children out of 1.75 million children received decent education. The efforts from the governments and the reformers allowed this boom to occur. Once the 1870s arrived, education was well established and kept growing stronger and stronger.
 * This graph shows the huge difference of school attendance as the years progressed in the 1800s. By 1861, the vast majority of students were in school. The green portion represents those who are in school and the red portion represents those who are not in school.**


 * Impact on the 19th Century**

The change in education during the 19th century definitely had a huge impact on all children and families in Europe. Reforms were made so children of lower classes could attend schools and schools were made for teachers, so they had ample knowledge to teach to their students. Also, colleges for females were established during this educational phase which was a benefit for all females across the globe. They could now receive a stronger education and learn more, which benefited their lives. Males also received good education during the 19th century. Schools prepared them for their future jobs and gave them great knowledge for the future. Although education for males and females were different, both genders benefited from the changes. Clearly, education was very important for Europe which is why many changes were made during the 19th century. Children and young adults received better education and were taught more, which prepared them for the future. A dismal education definitely would not suffice.
 * This is Cambridge University where males once rioted against granting degrees to females.

Bibliography:**

Bancroft, H. Hubert. __The Great Republic by the Master Historians.__ Volume 1., 1900s. Print.

Bistrup, Steven. "Common School Crusade (1815-1850)." American Eras. Ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli and Richard Layman. Detroit: Gale Research, 1997. Student Resource Center - College Edition. Gale. MARY INSTITUTE & ST LOUIS DAY SCHOOL. 17 Sep. 2009 < [] []>.

Cunningham, William. "Elementary Education Act, 1870, with introduction, notes, and index, and appendix containing inforporrated statutes." London, 1870. //Internet Archive//. Web. 27 Sep. 2009.

Getty Images. __Cambridge University.__ Photo//. Cambridge University//. 31 Oct. 2008. 26 Sep. 2009. <[]>. Gillard, Derek. "Education in England." Nov. 2001. Online. September 27, 2009. <[]>. Markham, J., David. " The Revolution, Napoleon, and Education." 1995. Online. 20 Sep. 2009. <[]>.

"public education." //World History: The Modern Era//. ABC-CLIO, 2009. Web. 17 Sep. 2009. <[]>.

"1870 Education Act." 1998. Online. September 25, 2009. <[]>.