Contrast of Colonial and Present Day Education

Education in the present day U. S. has under gone many changes. Dating back to Colonial times there were many immigrants that came to this country. When those immigrants came they brought along with them their practices and beliefs. They left their homeland but the homeland was still a part of their everyday life. During the Colonial period education was taken seriously and religion was a part of their activities. There were many form of discrimination in the way they conducted education, the manner in which they treated women and non whites.
Education was given to the upper class students who learned reading, math, writing, poems and prayers. They used these three books the Hornbook, the Primer and the Bible. Boys were taught more of academic skills and the girls were taught house skills and duties. Only whites were given the opportunity to be educated. The not so wealthy children were taught at home. School was from 7am until about 5pm with many breaks in between. The wealthier colonials sent their children to England to be taught. Girls were given just the basic skills needed to read the Bible. Poorer families taught their children apprenticeship to survive. School attendance was not mandatory and no set time frame for when education would begin or end. Teachers were not given any formal education.
Unlike today standards that are placed on education. Education is for all and there are public schools to education individuals from any nationality or religious background. There are so many laws in effect that it is almost impossible to discriminate anyone from a basic education in this country. Religion is kept out of the school system also due to laws and bylaws. Training for teachers is kept to a high standard. Teachers are required to obtain required training before entering a classroom setting. School attendance is mandated according to the age groups of the individual. Also the hours a student attends is also regulated all due to funding. Once an individual finishes the basic requirements of standard education an individual may attend any higher schooling for any length of time.
One can see that the emphases placed on education today are very different from the education that was first started in this country by the Colonials. Many requirements and stipulation regulate the way things are done and the manner in which they are executed. Therefore, due to so many regulations things that were tolerated during the Colonial Era compared to today’s standards will not be tolerated. Education in the U. S. has truly undergone many significant changes.