In 1865- 1895 states began requiring that children attend school. These children were between the ages eight and fourteen and only had to go 12 to 16 weeks a year. In school they did mainly arithmetic, reading, and writing. Unfortunately the schools got a lot of criticism because of the mechanically memorization. They parents said that they didn’t learn anything, just memorized it. Another reason for the criticism was because of the uneven quality of teachers. Students didn’t like the school either because of the strict rules and physical punishment. The teachers would hit the kids for pretty much anything. Even with all the problems, they started making kindergartens. They became very popular with employed mothers because they were able to drop their kids off while they went to work. The numbers jumped significantly when they went from 200 in 1880 to 3000 in 1900. William Torrey Harris guided kindergartens to become part of public schools. Even though public schools were growing rapidly, the difference of opportunities was great for blacks and whites. There were obviously many more whites than blacks for a very long time. The schools were one roomed and all the children were taught together with the youngest usually being three or four and the oldest sometimes older than the teacher. They weren’t grouped by age, but by what book they were using.
Private schools began in the early 1900s and only the wealthy children got to attend. The schools were houses that had a few rooms dedicated to schooling. There were only about three or four kids in each grade and boys and girls were taught separately. They learned reading, spelling, history, arithmetic, geography and penmanship. They also sometimes learned dancing, French, drawing, and how to walk and act like a young lady. The girls also had yawning and stretching exercises as well as archery, tennis, basketball, and swimming.
Public schools were free therefore most of the kids were poorer. There were about 20-30 children in each grade and boys and girls were taught together. The subjects were almost the same as the private school kids but the teachers were a lot harder on the public school children, hitting them if they act up. One schoolboy’s list included if you don’t learn, if you whisper, if you have a string in your pocket, if your seat squeaks, if you don’t stand up in time, if you’re late, and if you forget the page. Most children had to stay home and work for their families and didn’t get to attend school at all. In 1904 children were supposed to go to school until they were 16 but most children didn’t finish eighth grade. Most of them had to work in coalmines, farms, or factories to support their families. Some went to high school and few went to college with very few girls, even the rich ones, getting to go to college.
I'm not saying that I like school, but I definatly am heppy it's the way it is now rather than back then. We have our own grades and don't get beat by the teachers. Also, being a girl, I'm very glad that I can go to college. Another thing is now it's required until your 16 and you have to go for the whole year. I also like the variety of classes rather than just a few that they make us do.
Angry whites attacking a school for blacks
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