The American public education system differs significantly from those of other Western societies in a number of key ways, including:

• our belief education can address social problems,
• our commitment to providing all students education to at least age 16, and
• our dedication to local control of schools.

These differences hearken back to our democratic roots. Soon after the American Revolution, our founders argued education was essential for our nation's survival and prosperity. Thomas Jefferson became the first American leader to propose a publicly supported system of free schools for all persons.

The Common School movement

However not until the 1840s did an organized system exist. Education reformers like Horace Mann and Henry Barnard, working in Massachusetts and Connecticut respectively, helped create statewide common-school systems. These reformers sought to increase opportunities for all children and create common bonds among an increasingly diverse population. They also argued education could preserve social stability and prevent crime and poverty.

Common-school advocates worked to establish a free elementary education accessible to everyone and financed by public funds. As such, they advocated public schools should be accountable to local school boards and state governments. They also helped establish compulsory school attendance laws for elementary-age children. By 1918, such laws existed in all states.

Introducing secondary schools

Yet only a small number of teenagers pursued a secondary education. In 1900, only 10 percent of adolescents attended high school, even though an 1874 Michigan Supreme Court decision established public financing for secondary education.

But the 20th century dramatically changed this. Strict child labor laws and an increasingly urban and industrialized society encouraged additional education. Most states enacted laws extending compulsory education to age 16, and the American high school was born. Its goals remain to educate students for their place in society and to provide them opportunities to rise above any social or economic disadvantages into which they were born.

Learn more about American Education Week and our educational history

The following resources can help you plan events for this week-long celebration or share more about the history of America's schools with students.

Early American Education and the influence of Horace Mann -- An integrated unit of study with all resources provided

www.pbs.org/kcet/publicschool/ -- The Story of American Public Education is the companion site to the PBS series and includes a look at current problems and reforms.

www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/ -- History of American Education Web Project is a site created and maintained by college education students.

ncha.ncats.net/data/Old_Rural_School/ -- The Old Rural School as I Remember It offers the recollections of a rural school teacher.