Elementary School Curriculum

Historical Overview

During the 1600s and 1700s, settlers in the North American colonies established schools that were originally modeled after the schools of their European homelands. This system was based [Page 328]upon two tracks: one for upper classes and one for children who were of lower socioeconomic means. The first group attended preparatory schools with special attention on preparing White males for college. Schools for lower socioeco-nomic groups attended church-sponsored primary schools that offered basic subjects such as religion, reading, writing, and mathematics. During the late 1700s, Thomas Jefferson and Noah Webster promoted a movement to create a U.S. version of elementary education. Jefferson asserted that each state should be responsible for providing both females and males a basic elementary education that would be funded by the public. Although this was not established during Jefferson's lifetime, his ideas would have a significant influence on the future establishment of public elementary schools.

During the 1830s and 1840s, a movement started to replace or supplement church-based schools. Sunday schools were established in larger cities to provide religious and literacy education. A second form of schooling, mutual instruction commonly known as monitorials, became popular. This method involved a master teacher who selected older students to tutor and mentor younger students. This method was popular because it provided a relatively inexpensive way to provide a basic education for young children. Initially these schools were fully funded by private donors, but this funding eventually gave way to a public school system in the mid to late 1800s. These schools were purported to be open to all children regardless of socioeconomic status and ethnic background. However, many children were still denied access to schools, particularly those who were African American.

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