Chapter 5: The History of Schools in the United States

Over the last 300 years there have been many debates about what should be taught in schools. These debates have changed the curriculum. In the beginning it consisted of reading, writing, spelling, arithmatic, and the religious catechism were the first subjects taught. Later on a moral catechism and a federal one that stressed nationalism and patriotism was added. By the end of the nineteenth century the curriculum became geared more towards helping immigrants became literate and disciplined workers as well as "preparing young people to contribute effectively to the industrial revolution". Although the things being taught had changed with time the way things were taught was still in the past where lecture and recitation were the only way to go. In the early 1900s a movement began to try to engage students and to address students individual learning styles. These last movement was called the progressive movement and has spanned more than 50 years and is the current ideology in many schools.

Many of the same debates that were waging around schools 300 years ago are still being fought today. The three catechisms that were included in the first schools have been removed but many feel that religion should be included in school. Others feel that is wrong because by teaching one religion in schools we are discriminating against many others. There are also still debates around how students should be taught. Although many advancements have been made in the school system there are still people who feel that lecture and recitation is the best way to teach.