The innovators and makers of public schools have all propelled ideas that make schools they way they are today. Upon reading the articles on PBS and Gatto, it seems as if the "innovators" of public schools set a foundation for schools, including the duration of the school year and training for teachers. The "makers" proposed ideas to design curriculum that would prepare students for real world application.
Horace Mann is one individual who I feel truly influenced public education. Horace Mann has been dubbed the "father of American education" (1). Mann was one of the first elected official in this nation to push for additional funding to support school buildings, books, and teacher pay. In addition to promoting public support for schooling, he also created the first state board of education. Although some people argue that Mann's motivation to strengthen schools was to improve morals and behaviors of a crime-stricken neighborhood, he's still widely known in the education community as being a strong founder of public education.
Henry Ford is known for his famous quote, "whether you think you can or can't, either way, you're probably right." Henry Ford revolutionized the way Americans traveled. This transformed our country into the country it is today. From the semi-trucks that deliver our food to the grocery stores, to the school buses that transport students into the schools in which we teach, our highway infrastructure all stemmed from Henry Ford's ingenuity. Today, several schools throughout the nation focus on optional vocational schooling programs and many work in unison with local factories and corporations. The students learn real life learning skills and employment is typically lined up with those companies that have reciprocity programs of training. Today, modern schools are geared towards making students prepared for college, and college prepares students for the work force.
References:
1. http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/mann.html
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