Name some of the changes in american life between 1790 and the 1840s that led reformers to demandbetterschools?
The 1790-1840 Second Great Awakening became a God-given goal to fight for social justice. Education Before Primary schools had reputation of being the lowest form of schooling available. Wealthier people refused to pay taxes to educate the poor's children. This led to increased illiteracy. Children were educated in one-room schoolhouses with cramped conditions and teachers were ill-trained. The emphasis was more on discipline than learning. Students learned only the basics. Education After Tax-supported public education soared between 1825 and 1850. Horace Mann thought education was rudimentary at best. He implemented improved conditions for schools and teachers http://www.slideshare.net/mklopfenstein/... In 1838, Horace Mann founded and edited The Common School Journal. In this journal, Mann targeted the public school and its problems. His six main principles were: (1) the public should no longer remain ignorant; (2) that such education should be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that this education will be best provided in schools that embrace children from a variety of backgrounds; (4) that this education must be non-sectarian; (5) that this education must be taught by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society; and (6) that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers. Mann worked for more and better equipped school houses, longer school years (until 16 years old), higher pay for teachers, and a wider curriculum. Mann hoped that by bringing all children, of all classes together, they could have a common learning experience. This would also give an opportunity to the less fortunate to advance in the social scale and education would "equalize the conditions of men". Moreover, it was viewed also as a road to social advancement by the early labor movement and as a goal of having common schools. Mann also suggested that by having schools it would help those students who didn't have appropriate discipline in the home. Building a person's character was just as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann...