A History of Education: The American Educational System, Common School Period (McGuffey Readers)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 30th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] In 1833, a small, Cincinnati, Ohio, publishing company called Truman and Smith became interested in the idea of publishing school texts. They … Continue reading “A History of Education: The American Educational System, Common School Period (McGuffey Readers)”


A History of Education: The American Educational System, Common School Period (Mary Lyon)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 29th in a series of blogs that examine how education  developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Mary Lyon is best known in educational circles as the founder of Mount Holyoke Seminary (now College), the first higher education institution … Continue reading “A History of Education: The American Educational System, Common School Period (Mary Lyon)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Common School Period (Horace Mann)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 28th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Sometimes called “The Father of American Education,” Horace Mann was born in 1796 in Franklin, Massachusetts. His formal schooling only lasted 8-10 … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Common School Period (Horace Mann)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Dartmouth College/Yale Report of 1828)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 27th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] During the Early National Period of American history, there were two landmark cases relating to higher education. The first was the Dartmouth … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Dartmouth College/Yale Report of 1828)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Educational Ordinances)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 26th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] In the Colonial period, each of the individual colonies determined its own laws regarding formal education. The new country was a melting … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Educational Ordinances)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Noah Webster)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 25th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] When we talk about contributions to education, we’d be remiss in not mentioning Noah Webster — yes, that Webster, whose name appears … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Noah Webster)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Thomas Jefferson)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 24th in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Most people don’t associate Thomas Jefferson with education, but his views and actions both influenced formal instruction in the nascent United States. … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Thomas Jefferson)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Benjamin Rush)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 23rd in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) was one of the leaders of the Revolutionary movement, serving as a professor at the College of Philadelphia when … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Benjamin Rush)”


The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Benjamin Franklin)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 22nd in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Benjamin Franklin, born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, was an American printer, author, diplomat, philosopher, and scientist. He made many contributions … Continue reading “The History of Education: The American Educational System, Early National Period (Benjamin Franklin)”


A History of Education: The American Educational System, Colonial Period (Harvard College)

[Editor’s Note: This is the 21st in a series of blogs that examine how education developed throughout history until the present. Links to previous blogs are included at the bottom of the post.] Harvard University, which is approaching its 390th anniversary in 2026, is the oldest higher education institution in the United States. It was … Continue reading “A History of Education: The American Educational System, Colonial Period (Harvard College)”