The education before the 1800’s was faulty at best. For the schools that were present they were under funded, of poor quality, and there was no general standard for education. Americans gradually became aware that there were many benefits to improving public education and that a change was necessary. The education reform began with Horace Mann, he was known as “Father of American Education.”. Horace believed that children should be molded into what the teachers and officials wanted them to be. He demoralized corporal punishment and established state teacher training programs.
Another prominent leader in the education reform was Emma Willard. Willard establish the curriculum consisting of math, physics, history, and geography.