Study Notes on Early American Education and Thomas Jefferson's Influence

AN EARLY HISTORY OF AMERICAN EDUCATION

Old Deluder Satan Law 1647

  • Historical context: The law was enacted in the year 1647.

  • Purpose: Aimed at ensuring children were educated to read and write to thwart the influence of the devil, reflecting the Puritan belief in the necessity of education.

Puritan Belief on the Devil

  • The Puritans viewed the Devil as an essential component of God's creation, indicating their theological framework concerning morality, education, and societal structure.

THE OLD DELUDER SATAN LAW

What Was the Law?

  • Legislative intention: To mandate the establishment of schools in towns of a certain size in the colonies to promote literacy.

  • Significance: Considered a foundational element in American public education, reflecting early American societal values on the importance of education.

Why Was It Important?

  • It laid the groundwork for future educational systems in the United States, emphasizing that education is a public good.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Political Economy of the Jeffersonian Era

  • Geographical divisions of the nation:

    • Regions: New England, the middle Atlantic states, and southern states.

    • Distinctions between port areas and interior areas and between settled lands and “frontier.”

  • Communication methods:

    • Relying on word of mouth, letters, and newspapers for information dissemination.

  • Travel means and impacts:

    • Travel propelled by human labor, animals, river currents, or wind.

    • Introduction of steam-powered boats and steam railroads significantly reduced travel time.

Ideology of the Jeffersonian Era

  • Political perspectives: A contrast between liberal and conservative worldviews.

    • Conservative ideology retained the strongest remnants of feudalism, which was characterized as an economic, military, political, and religious system rooted in class division.

    • Liberalism emerged as a challenge to feudalism.

FUNDAMENTAL TENETS OF CLASSICAL LIBERAL IDEOLOGY

  • Key principles include:

    • Faith in Reason: Valuing reason over tradition, custom, and dogmatic faith. Notable figures include Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton. Jefferson stated, "Reason is the first born daughter of science."

    • Natural Law: The belief that the universe operates like a machine; understanding it gives humans control, thus replacing theology with science as a guide to action.

    • Progress: The notion of continual individual and societal improvement towards perfection, suggesting that revolution may be an option and emphasizing education as a vehicle for social advancement.

    • Nationalism: A shift of allegiance to the nation rather than local states, promoting a new national identity and the interplay between national government and local self-determination.

    • Freedom: Defined as “Negative freedom,” which includes:

    • Intellectual Freedom: Protection against coercion from church and state.

    • Political Freedom: Support for representative governance.

    • Civic Freedom: The liberty to "live as one pleases," protected by the Bill of Rights.

    • Economic Freedom: Defined by a “Laissez-faire” economy inspired by Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations.

JEFFERSON AND INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM

  • Jefferson advocated for free intellect as vital for truth and human happiness.

  • He believed truth was absolute and unchanging, discovered rather than created by human inquiry.

  • Role of newspapers:

    • Seen as a crucial tool for public enlightenment and debate; they symbolize access to information but lost credibility when spreading falsehoods.

GOVERNMENT BY A “NATURAL ARISTOCRACY”

  • Concept of natural aristocracy:

    • Defined as governance based on virtue and talent, as opposed to an artificial aristocracy which is determined by birth and wealth.

    • The latter was considered a target for revolution as it perpetuates inequality.

DIFFUSION OF EDUCATION (1779)

  • Contextual quote from Thomas Jefferson's “Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge”:

    • “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny; and it is believed that the most effectual means of preventing this would be, to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large.”

SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY

  • Jefferson emphasized the necessity to “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people” as they are integral for preserving liberty.

  • Status of governance: A delicate balance between preventing tyranny and mob rule.

INTEGRITY OF AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY

  • Quote from Thomas Jefferson: "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people."

MERITOCRACY OR “NATURAL ARISTOCRACY”

  • Idea of meritocracy:

    • Jefferson's vision involved "Raking a few geniuses from the rubbish" through scholarships that would enable capable individuals to access education at public expense, ensuring that the most talented individuals could be educated adequately.

    • This reflects an idealistic view of a fair educational system.

THOMAS JEFFERSON'S COMMUNICATIONS

  • Letter to Joseph C. Cabell, dated January 14, 1818:

    • Emphasized the importance of a system of education that encompasses all citizens—rich and poor alike—as a priority for his public interests.

  • Quote from Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Richard Price, dated January 8, 1789:

    • “Wherever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”

WHAT WAS THE PROPOSAL?

Importance of Understanding Key Terms

  • Meritocracy vs. Aristocracy: Understanding the contrast between governance based on merit and societal privilege vested in hereditary wealth.

SCHOOL FUNDING TODAY

Overview of Recent Statistics (2019-2021)

  • Per-Pupil Spending in Three Districts:

    • Philadelphia: $15,490

    • Upper Merion: $20,490

    • Lower Merion: $27,800

    • These statistics illustrate disparities in educational funding across different districts, hinting at larger systemic issues in educational equity and access.