Influential+Proponents+of+Education

=__Influential Proponents of Education__=

There were two individuals--Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin--whose stature in the country and the government made them powerful voices when they spoke of the need for education. Noah Webster became influential because he created the most popular textbook of the time period--T//he American Spelling Book//--and the first American dictionary. The innovative ideas of these three men laid the foundation for the system of education that Americans have enjoyed for more than two hundred years.

Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin attended the Boston Latin School for a brief period when his father believed he was destined to be a minister. When his career plan didn't work out, Ben was apprenticed to his brother, James, a printer. Ben did not stop learning, however. In the early 1700s, printers printed pages for books and delivered them to the book binder. When Ben delivered the pages on behalf of the print shop, he would borrow any available newly-bound book. He would have to return the book to the binder for delivery to the customer the next day, so he would stay up all night reading. This began his love of reading and his belief in the value of education. Additionally, he grew up in the Enlightenment era, a time when the debate over Reason vs. Faith was raging. A successful scientist who was efficient when practicing his faith, Ben appreciated the content of the debate on both sides. As the ultimate optimist, the Enlightenment view that the future will be better than today appealed to him. As a self-taught intellectual and self-made man, he believed in the value of both a classic education and a practical one. His innovative thinking is reflected in //Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania,// a plan for a secondary school. In 1751, his vision came to fruition as the Academy.The curriculum was a blend of the classic languages and works, the study of history through biographies and character analysis, and practical applications in math, science, and the work of tradesmen. While character education and morality were an integral part of the curriculum, instruction was less religious in nature. When Ben died, he bequeathed money for education. The interest has been used for that purpose in Philadelphia. In 1990, the initial investment had grown to seven million dollars. Ben's most important act on behalf of education was probably using his influence with others in Philadelphia and beyond to convince them to support education. He was the biggest American celebrity of his day. When he talked, people listened.

Source: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/franklin-printer.html
 * Ben Franklin’s Impact on American Education ||
 * * He proposed curricula that had a practical application while being blended with the classics.
 * He used his influence as a speaker and writer to convince influential people to support education.
 * He founded the Academy, which became the University of Pennsylvania.
 * He served as a role model for the inquiry method of learning. || * Franklin’s maxims were used as a teaching tool for handwriting and moral development.
 * Franklin was an early advocate of the Scientific Method in science study and experimentation.
 * Dr. Franklin and his friends in The Junto created the first lending library-a must for those who are serious about education. ||

“The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance. “ “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” || Ben Franklin in His Own Words (Primary Sources) []
 * __ Did you know Ben Franklin said…? __

//Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania// (original printed version in its entirety) []

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was born on a plantation in Virginia. He had access to education as a youth and young adult, attending a private English school in Virginia, followed by attendance at and graduation from the College of William and Mary. He was interested in exploring many subjects, from architecture to botany, and agreed with those who favored the Enlightenment. He grew up to be a profound writer on many subjects, including law, the rights of man, democratic government, tyranny, and education. Jefferson believed that an educated society would be able to reject tyranny in government and proposed that the state, not the churches, should be responsible for educating its citizens. He strongly advocated that the purpose of education was to produce good citizens and that, by educating only the wealthy to become leaders, democracy was at stake. In his "Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge", he attempted to legislate that taxes should be used to fund schools. He also described a two-track system of education based on merit. All white students (including girls) would receive three years of education funded by taxes. After that period, the brightest male students would receive scholarships for a secondary education. The brightest of those students would then receive scholarships to the College of William and Mary. Unfortunately, his bill was not enacted.
 * The Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge can be found at []
 * A summary of Jefferson's thinking about education is available at []

Thomas Jefferson had two children, both girls. He believed that they needed a different type of education than the one he envisioned for males. He thought women should learn needlework, French, and have knowledge of music, but not poetry. The main goal of educating women, he believed, was to educate their children. He was concerned about his girls being able to enjoy life, epecially if one or both married a "blockhead". Additional information about Jefferson's fascinating point of view can be found at: []

Thomas Jefferson's belief about the importance of a college education is apparent in his commitment to the establishment of the University of Virginia. His proposals included a flexible curriculum that allowed for electives, multiple buildings creating a campus of learning, and a library as a central focus.In fact, it is through his efforts that the library contained 7,000 volumes initially. Additional information about the founding of the University of Virginia can be accessed at: []


 * **Thomas Jefferson’s Impact on American Education** ||
 * * ======S uggested the first legislation for a free, state-wide system of education for free boys and girls. ======
 * ====== Presented the idea that education was critical to a free and democratic society. ======
 * ====== Was the first to recognize that genius occurs at all socioeconomic levels . ======
 * Proposed the first law to impose taxes to pay for schooling. || * Was instrumental in creating the University of Virginia.
 * Donated his personal books to begin the Library of Congress.
 * Included a library and 7,000 books in the University of Virginia plan. ||
 * === Thomas Jefferson Speaks About Universal Education ===


 * media type="youtube" key="tusZ18aq5qU" height="324" width="398"

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tusZ18aq5qU

=
Noah Webster wanted to be a lawyer, but his family couldn't afford law school. To save the money, he became a teacher. Eventually, he earned enough to attend Yale University and became a lawyer. After a short time, he decided being a lawyer was not his passion. He returned to teaching and became frustrated that children were learning from books published in England. As a proud citizen of the newly founded United States of America, he wanted children to have American books from which to study, because he believed that students should share a common culture, just like they now shared a common government. He wrote //Grammatical Institute of the English Language// in 1783. It taught children systematically how to decode words. Webster's book was retitled the //American Spelling Book// and continued to be the most popular textbook in America. It, and the //American Dictionary//, which he also wrote, are still in print today.=====


 * Noah Webster’s Impact on American Education ||
 * * He wrote //The American Speller// which provided a structured method for teaching reading.
 * He fought for adequate teachers and materials in schools.
 * He was at the forefront of the movement to protect authors’ works through copyright. || * The content of //The American Speller// strengthened children’s sense of national identity and common national culture.
 * He codified and expanded the American English language. ||

Source: Ornstein, A. C. and Levine D. U., (1993). //Foundations of Education//, Fifth Edition, Boston.
 * ===A Biosketch by Jennifer Howard===
 * media type="youtube" key="Y6Yfh5M4q38" height="315" width="387"
 * =====Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Yfh5M4q38=====
 * //The American Spelling Book:// Available at[| http://books.google.com/books?id=J90RAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false]
 * [[image:Fable_1.jpg caption="From The American Spelling Book, Fable 1"]]
 * Source (also offers //The American Spelling Book// in its entirety with transcripts and background information):
 * [| http://www.merrycoz.org/books/spelling/SPELLING.HTM]