1880-1900 Summary

The article by James Berlin discussed the way education has changed over time due to the issues that were occuring in society. During the 1880's-1900's many changes had occured. Education was based off of what the democratic society thought the school should teach. English composition was one of the areas that was changing all the time. At first it was to be a reflection on larger conflicts taking place in society, the english curriculum lied between the classroom and society. Secondary schools and colleges were only for the elite to gain power in society. They would study areas such as medicine, law and minsitry. It was said that they needed to attend college to gain an education that would make them capable of holding their place in society.

The Morrill Federal Land Grant of 1862, changed the persons entering the school, it allowed for minorites to enroll and any other persons of talent to gain an education. Also, this changed the curriculum of the colleges to prepare students for management oppurtunities in certain areas. They were to provide students to be able to take a leadership role in their area of expertise. The Committe of Ten was also an organization that changed the way English should be studied in High school to better prepare those for college. There was a tension that was evolving between the liberal culture and efficency culture. A disagreement between Yale and Harvard elitists on the way education should be conducted, it was something that was apparent in the years to follow.