In the early 1800s, many communities did not have schools to educate children. But by the 1830s, the economy was changing in ways that made education more important. For example, more people were coming to cities to buy and sell goods. If people could read and do math, then they could better calculate how much money to pay. In addition, more immigrants were moving to the United States from places such as Germany. Some Americans wanted the immigrants' children to learn the local ways of life so they could adapt to their new country. To meet these needs, in 1837 Massachusetts created a statewide board of education and named Horace Mann as its leader. Mann started a movement to build schools for all young children. These were called common schools.
The common schools aimed to provide a basic education to all children, regardless of their background, thus promoting equality and opportunity. Reformers believed that education was a means to create responsible citizens and reduce social disorder. They advocated for a standardized curriculum, trained teachers, and a system funded by taxes to ensure that every child had access to education.
As common schools spread across the country, they became a foundational element of American society, leading to increased literacy rates and a more informed citizenry. The principles established by Mann and other education reformers laid the groundwork for the modern public school system, emphasizing the importance of education as a right for every child.
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