Rick Gee's Compulsory Government Education

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Rick Gee’s article, “Compulsory Government Education: Origins and Solutions” takes us way back to the original roots of education. Apparently, modern compulsory schooling originated from Prussian ruling strategies enacted in 1819. The educational goals were established by the Prussian ruling class to provide obedient classes of soldiers, miners, government agents, and citizens who shared the same sentiments. As planned, this resulted in an economic and industrial boom. Thus began the mass migration to Prussia of young affluent American men seeking upward mobility through advanced educations. Unlike the United States at the time, “Prussia in the 19th century offered Ph.D. degrees, then unknown in the States. Eventually, those with Ph.D.’s assumed …show more content…

This all originated due to the absolving of child labor laws. Many things happened leading up to this major event, one major event however would be the Industrial Evolution. It was a transition to new manufacturing processes which occurred in the period of 1760 to the time of about 1822 to 1840. Child labor laws were a major turning point in history to alter the way society views children and to increase awareness of Child Welfare. Very young children worked long, hard hours in places that were extremely dangerous, like mines, factories, and …show more content…

This is only possible through a more advanced compulsory schooling. In the pre-Civil War period, reformers turned to formal institutions as a means to address a variety of social problems. Institutions for the children were built with a sense of hope and idealism. There was a new awareness of children as children, young people who will grow into adults that will somehow have to become a productive member of society. Schools would be the vehicle to educate a productive class of American citizens.
To accentuate the point, it is must be said that the most crucial fact of all is that since we are modern nation, we must thoroughly educate our students because school enhances the self-actualization process that begins at home. This is because not only do students gain scholastic knowledge while engaged in the educational system, but also gain behavioral norms that aid them in future

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