{"id":4476,"date":"2024-01-16T20:53:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T02:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.thegentsplace.com\/?p=4476"},"modified":"2024-01-16T20:53:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T02:53:21","slug":"how-europe-shaped-the-american-school-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.thegentsplace.com\/how-europe-shaped-the-american-school-system\/","title":{"rendered":"How Europe Shaped the American School System"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European influence on American schools dates back to the late 19th century. During this time, Europe was considered to have one of the best education systems in the world, and many American educators sought to emulate its methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most notable aspects of the European model was its emphasis on discipline and order. Students were expected to follow strict rules and regulations, and teachers were given a great deal of authority over their classrooms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another key feature of the European system was its focus on academic rigor. Students were required to study a wide range of subjects, including math, science, history, and literature, and were expected to perform at a high level in each of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

To bring these ideas to America, educational reformers such as Horace Mann and Henry Barnard advocated for the adoption of a European-inspired model of education. This included the creation of a standardized curriculum, compulsory attendance laws, and the establishment of normal schools to train teachers in the European methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prussia<\/h2>\n

Those who have an interest in history may recall that Frederick of Prussia was not like most European rulers of his time. He was greatly influenced by the so-called Enlightenment and its impact on European culture, intellectualism, and artistic expression. Even though Frederick was devoted to Prussian nationalism and militarism, following in his father’s (Frederick William I) footsteps, he lived during a time when the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution were converging.<\/span><\/p>\n

In essence, Frederick’s idea for a national public education system was shaped by the opposing forces of cultural and industrial revolutions existing in deeply ingrained autocratic and nationalistic political systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is crucial to have a good understanding of the past in order to build a better future. The United States has been attempting to improve public education for many years, but with mixed results. The discussion around what needs to be reformed often revolves around the belief that the current public education system is ineffective and inefficient. While this may be true in some aspects, it is not necessarily the case in every aspect. To improve an institutional system, it is necessary to first comprehend its objectives, strengths, weaknesses, and underlying principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Frederick the Great comes in. Let\u2019s take a closer look at just what Frederick did and how that provides a useful context for understanding how we \u201cdo\u201d school in America and what we may want to change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Creating Better Workers<\/h2>\n

In his efforts to establish Prussia as a dominant economic and military power, Frederick focused on creating an educational system that would produce skilled factory workers who were obedient to authority. However, he did introduce some educational reforms that have continued to influence modern education. Despite his goal of limiting free thinking and innovation to the aristocracy, some of his innovations have had a lasting impact on education.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are some examples that have proven to be effective: <\/span><\/p>\n