Horace Mann
Becky Clifton
HIS 324
Elena Lattarulo
October 17, 2011
Clifton 2…
Horace Mann
Horace Mann was an educator and a statesman. He greatly advanced the cause of universal, free, nonsectarian public schools. Mann’s preferred cause was education. His remark that while “other reforms are remedial; education is preventative.” In 1837 Mann became Secretary to Massachusetts Board of Education. Most of his educational policies stemmed from his belief in the perfectibility of humanity and society through adherence to naturally revealed moral citizenry. During Mann’s tenure he increased the funding available to schools, improved the preparation and support of teachers, and advocated for compassionate discipline. Mann believed children in public schools should be taught the ethical principles common across Christianity, but not those doctrines about which different sects disagreed. Today Mann is still criticized by both sides. Religious conservatives often blame him for taking the steps that lead to the complete secularization of public school systems. Liberals sometimes criticize his lack of interest in making public education more comfortable for non-Christians. Mann’s compromise was possibly the Clifton 3…
Horace Mann
only one that could have both sides satisfied. During one of Mann’s speeches he claimed that “slavery would abolish education, if it should invade a free state; education would abolish slavery, if it could invade a free state.”
In 1848 Horace Mann declared that in America, common, public schools would be “the balance wheel of the social machinery.” This is what has kept public schools attractive to most of the public in most parts of the country for the past century and a half. Americans have consistently believed that common public schools are necessary to teach common values, common knowledge of the political systems, respect for institutions, respect for property, and other values that are needed to keep a democratic system from flying apart. Even today the values and the curriculum of the “common” public schools remain skewed towards the cultural institutions and beliefs of traditional American Protestants.
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Horace Mann
Horace Mann is the nation’s best-known advocate for universal, free public education. Mann answered that money spent on schools today is money saved on prisons tomorrow.
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References
Susan Ritchie (1999-2011) Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society (UUHHS) www25.uua.org Victory of the Common School Movement (2008)
Iipdigital.usembassy.gov
References: Susan Ritchie (1999-2011) Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society (UUHHS) www25.uua.org Victory of the Common School Movement (2008) Iipdigital.usembassy.gov
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