EDU115 - History of American Education Quiz #1 Study Guide

Horace Mann

An important figure in the history of US education, often considered the "father of the Common School Movement."

Noah Webster

An important figure associated with early American education, known for his dictionary and "Blueback Spellers."

John Dewey

An important figure in education, known for his pragmatic philosophy and contributions to progressive education.

Thomas Jefferson

An important historical figure who advocated for public education to foster an informed citizenry.

Anna Julia Cooper

An important educator and activist, known for her contributions to Black feminist thought and education.

Booker T. Washington

An important African American educator and leader who emphasized vocational training and economic self-sufficiency.

W.E.B. DuBois

An important African American sociologist and activist who advocated for liberal arts education and civil rights.

Paulo Freire

An important educator and philosopher, known for his work on critical pedagogy and literacy.

Jean Anyon

An important researcher known for her work on social class and public schooling.

Common Schools

Early public schools designed to serve all children, regardless of socio-economic status, to create a shared culture and promote upward mobility.

Freedom Schools

Alternative schools created during the Civil Rights Movement to provide African American students with an education focused on Black history, culture, and civil rights.

Rosenwald Schools

Schools built for African American children in the rural South during the early 20th century, funded by Julius Rosenwald and local Black communities.

Freedmen Schools

Schools established after the Civil War to educate newly emancipated African Americans.

Social Mobility

The movement of individuals or groups between different socio-economic positions in society.

The Melting Pot

A metaphor for a society where diverse cultures blend into a new, single culture, often associated with assimilation.

Social Reproduction

The process by which social and economic inequalities are transmitted from one generation to the next through institutions like schools.

Anti-Literacy Laws

Laws enacted in the US, particularly in the South, to prohibit enslaved people and sometimes free Black people from learning to read or write.

Blueback Spellers

Popular early American textbooks written by Noah Webster, used to teach spelling and reading.

Northwest Ordinance

A 1787 act by the US Congress that set principles for orderly expansion of the US, including a provision for public education.

"The Great Equalizer"

A phrase often used to describe public education, suggesting its potential to provide equal opportunities and reduce social inequalities.