The Politics of School Reform, 1870 - 1940
The Politics of School Reform, 1870 - 1940

Author: Paul E. Peterson

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1985-07

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9780226662954

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Was school reform in the decades following the Civil War an upper-middle-class effort to maintain control of the schools? Was public education simply a vehicle used by Protestant elites to impose their cultural ideas upon recalcitrant immigrants? In The Politics of School Reform, 1870-1940, Paul E. Peterson challenges such standard, revisionist interpretations of American educational history. Urban public schools, he argues, were part of a politically pluralistic society. Their growth—both in political power and in sheer numbers—had as much to do with the demands and influence of trade unions, immigrant groups, and the public more generally as it did with the actions of social and economic elites. Drawing upon rarely examined archival data, Peterson demonstrates that widespread public backing for the common school existed in Atlanta, Chicago, and San Francisco. He finds little evidence of systematic discrimination against white immigrants, at least with respect to classroom crowding and teaching assignments. Instead, his research uncovers solid trade union and other working-class support for compulsory education, adequate school financing, and curricular modernization. Urban reformers campaigned assiduously for fiscally sound, politically strong public schools. Often they had at least as much support from trade unionists as from business elites. In fact it was the business-backed machine politicians—from San Francisco's William Buckley to Chicago's Edward Kelly—who deprived the schools of funds. At a time when public schools are being subjected to searching criticism and when new educational ideas are gaining political support, The Politics of School Reform, 1870-1940 is a timely reminder of the strength and breadth of those groups that have always supported "free" public schools.

The County of Fulton; a History of Fulton County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on Various Subjects ...
The County of Fulton; a History of Fulton County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on Various Subjects ...

Author: Thomas Mikesell

Publisher: Rarebooksclub.com

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 358

ISBN-13: 9781230025520

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ...come into possession of eighty acres of his present homestead, the tract being distinguished in that it has never been under mortgage from the time the government deed was granted to the present. In later years Mr. Geiger purchased an adjoining thirty-three acres, so that his estate now comprises one hundred and thirteen acres. Mr. Geiger has prepared most of the farm for cultivation and has erected fine buildings and made other substantial improvements which place this among the model farmsteads of the township. His residence is a commodious brick structure, erected about a score of years ago, and the other buildings are of-excellent order and kept in good repair. In politics Mr. Geiger has always given his allegiance to the Democracy, and has taken a loyal interest in local affairs of a public nature, though never a seeker of ofiice. He and his wife are valued members of the Reformed church. July 1, 1860, just prior to his removal to Fulton county, Mr. Geiger was married to Miss Annie Catherine Geiger, the two families being not consanguineoiis, though of the same name. She was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, July 23, 1837, a daughter of Jacob'and Magdalena Geiger, both natives of Germany. Her father crossed the ocean five times, bringing his affianced wife on his last trip, and their marriage was celebrated in the city of Philadelphia shortly after their landing in the new world. They resided in Pennsylvania four years and then removed to Sandusky county, Ohio, as pioneers, there passing the remainder of their lives. The father, whose principal vocation was that of farming, died October 5, 1865, aged sixty-five years; and his widow attained the age of four score years, her death occurring November 21, 1888. They had nine children: ...