Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What was Benjamin Rush's occupation besides being a signer of the Declaration of Independence?
How many colleges did Benjamin Rush help found?
What was the subject of one of Benjamin Rush's famous educational policy papers?
What was the warning Benjamin Rush issued if the Bible were removed from schools?
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Why did Benjamin Rush think the Bible was essential in American education?
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What virtues did Benjamin Rush attribute to the Bible?
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What was the primary goal of education in America's early centuries?
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What type of questions were featured in the 1862 geography test from Chicago Public Schools?
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What was the requirement for students in the 1862 math text 'Raised Arithmetic'?
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What is the Federalist Papers, written in 1787 and 1788, considered to be?
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What was the philosophy of the schoolroom in America's early centuries?
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What was the motto of Harvard University?
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What was required of students at Yale University?
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What was the primary goal of Princeton University?
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Who was the president of Princeton University who personally trained students?
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What was required of students at Princeton University according to John Witherspoon?
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Who believed that the Bible was the only means to prevent crime?
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Who is credited with creating the polished language of the Constitution?
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What did Governor Morris recommend the French implement in their government?
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What was Fisher Ames' concern about the growing trend in American education?
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What did Fisher Ames propose should regain its place as a school book?
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Who warned that the Bible must never be pushed to the back of the classroom?
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What did John Quincy Adams declare about a man of liberal education and the Bible?
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What did Henry Lawrence, a president of Congress, declare about the Bible?
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What did Rush predict would happen if the Bible was no longer taught in schools?
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What did Governor Morris outline for the French in the creation of their new government?
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What was Benjamin Rush's stance on which book should be read in schools?
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What was Noah Webster's role in American education?
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What was unique about Noah Webster's textbooks?
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What was printed on the inside cover of Webster's speller?
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What was the philosophy of education according to Noah Webster?
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What did George Washington believe was essential for American youths to learn?
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Why did Delaware Indian chiefs bring their youth to America?
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What did George Washington promise to the Delaware Indian chiefs?
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Who was titled the 'Father of the American Revolution'?
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What was the name of Noah Webster's famous textbook?
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What was the primary concern of American settlers in establishing public education in America?
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What was the main objective of the Old Deluder Satan Act?
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Who was instrumental in promoting education for African Americans in the early days of America?
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What was the primary concern of the Connecticut legislature in passing the illiteracy law?
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What was the significance of the Northwest Ordinance?
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What was the philosophy of education in early America?
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What was the significance of the 1893 book prepared by the Kansas teachers organization?
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What was the percentage of state universities that conducted chapel services, according to James G. Blaine's report in 1890?
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Who was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction who declared that if the study of the Bible was excluded from state schools, the state would be better off giving all schools back to the church?
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What was the primary reason why many early educational leaders in America became involved in writing educational plans and starting universities?
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In the 17th century, America's primary goal of education was to know God and Jesus Christ.
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The 1862 geography test from Chicago Public Schools featured questions on latitude and longitude.
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The Federalist Papers is considered to be the single most authoritative source on the intent of the Constitution.
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Harvard University was started by the Baptists as a school to train ministers of the gospel.
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Yale University required students to live a religious and blameless life according to the rules of God's Word.
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John Witherspoon was the president of Harvard University who personally trained students.
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The philosophy of the schoolroom in America's early centuries was to promote true and undefiled religion.
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Benjamin Rush was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and helped found Princeton University.
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The Old Deluder Satan Act was passed to promote education in the early days of America.
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George Washington believed that the Bible was essential for American youths to learn.
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The Old Deluder Satan Act was America's first public education law passed in 1642.
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Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in promoting education for women and African Americans in the early days of America.
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The Northwest Ordinance was a federal law that prohibited religion in public education.
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John Witherspoon personally trained a number of African American students at Princeton, including John Chavez.
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The primary goal of education in America's early centuries was to promote economic growth.
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The Connecticut legislature was concerned about illiteracy because it would lead to economic instability.
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The 1893 book prepared by the Kansas teachers organization confirmed that education was no longer nurtured in the lap of the church.
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Religious faith was not a part of public education in America until the 20th century.
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The philosophy of education in early America was to separate church and state.
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Over 90% of state universities in 1890 conducted chapel services and required regular church attendance.
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Benjamin Rush was a university professor and authored numerous textbooks.
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Benjamin Rush proposed nationwide private schools in one of his educational policy papers.
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Benjamin Rush believed that the Bible should be removed from American education.
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Benjamin Rush attributed the virtues of equality, respect for just laws, and sober and frugal virtues to the Bible.
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Benjamin Rush warned that if the Bible were removed from schools, the government would become more efficient.
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Benjamin Rush was the only founding father who proposed nationwide public schools.
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Benjamin Rush believed that the Bible was the only means to prevent crime in America.
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Governor Morris was the primary author of the United States Constitution.
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Fisher Ames recommended that the Bible should be completely removed from schools.
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John Quincy Adams believed that a man of liberal education should be acquainted with the history contained in the Bible.
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Henry Lawrence, a president of Congress, believed that the Bible was a necessary part of a polite education.
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Rush predicted that if the Bible was removed from schools, America would have fewer crimes.
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Governor Morris outlined the principles of liberty and democracy to the French in the creation of their new government.
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Fisher Ames was concerned that the growing trend of using multiple books in schools would lead to a decrease in focus on the Bible.
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The primary goal of education in America's early centuries was to prepare students for the workforce.
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Rush, Governor Morris, Fisher Ames, John Quincy Adams, and Henry Lawrence all agreed on the importance of the Bible in American education.
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Noah Webster believed that the Christian religion should be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
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Benjamin Rush was a strong supporter of removing the Bible from American schools.
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The Northwest Ordinance was signed by George Washington in his first year as president.
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Noah Webster's textbooks did not include moral and religious lessons.
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George Washington believed that American youths should learn the arts and ways of life above all.
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The Bible was removed from American schools due to the efforts of early American leaders.
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Noah Webster's speller was first introduced in 1793.
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Samuel Adams was a strong supporter of sound education.
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Delaware Indian chiefs brought their youth to America to learn about the American Revolution.
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George Washington's philosophy of education emphasized the importance of the Bible in American education.
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Benjamin Rush was a signer of the ______ of Independence
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Benjamin Rush helped found ______ colleges
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In his educational policy paper, Benjamin Rush defended the use of the ______ as a school book
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Benjamin Rush believed that the ______ was essential for preventing crime in America
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According to Benjamin Rush, the ______ was the source of all crime
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Benjamin Rush believed that the ______ favored equality among mankind and respect for just laws
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Rush saw the ______ as the only sure means to prevent crime.
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Governor ______ was a signer of the Constitution and was the most active member of the Constitutional Convention.
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Governor Morris was literally the ______ of the Constitution.
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Religion is the only solid basis of good ______ therefore education should teach the precepts of religion.
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Fisher Ames helped frame the ______ of Rights in the very first federal Congress.
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Fisher Ames commented on a growing trend he had observed in American education, that it has been the custom of late years to put a number of little ______ into the hands of children.
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Fisher Ames strongly objected to the possibility that the Bible would be replaced by ______ in the classroom.
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John Quincy Adams, a US president and a university professor at ______, had similarly declared that it is not so much praiseworthy to be acquainted with the Bible as it is shameful to be ignorant of it.
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Henry Lawrence, a president of Congress, echoed the ______ is a necessary part of a polite education.
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According to Fisher Ames, the reverence for the sacred book that is thus early impressed lasts ______ and probably if not impressed in infancy never takes firm hold of the mind.
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The 1862 math text 'Raised Arithmetic' required students to solve math problems in their ___________.
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The Federalist Papers, written in 1787 and 1788, is considered to be the single most authoritative source on the intent of the ___________.
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Harvard University was started by the ___________ as a school to train ministers of the gospel.
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Yale University admonished its students to have an eye to the great end of all their studies, which is to obtain the clearest conceptions of ___________ things.
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Princeton University was started by the Presbyterians as a school to train ___________ of the gospel.
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John Witherspoon required students at Princeton University to attend worship in the College Hall ___________ and evening.
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The philosophy of the schoolroom in America's early centuries was based on knowing ___________ and studying the Scriptures.
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Harvard University's motto is 'For ___________ and the church, and for the glory of Christ'.
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Yale University required all scholars to live a ___________ and blameless life according to the rules of God's Word.
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John Witherspoon personally taught students that he is the best friend to American Liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true and ___________ religion.
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The American settlers were convinced that if the common people could read and could learn the Word of ___________ for themselves then they would resist government misbehavior.
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In 1642, they passed America's first public school law, it is contained in this book the ___________ of laws of 1650.
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The legislature observing that notwithstanding our former orders made for the education of children, there are many persons unable to read the English tongue and thereby incapable of reading the Holy Word of ___________ or the good laws of this state.
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The founders believed that encouraging religion in schools was ___________ to good government and the happiness of mankind.
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John Witherspoon personally trained a number of African American students at ___________ including John Chavez who went on to become a famous preacher and educator in North Carolina.
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The Northwest Ordinance was the first federal law to address ___________ significantly.
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In 1890, James G. Blaine reported that over 90 percent of the state universities that he surveyed conducted ___________ services.
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The State Superintendent of Public Instruction even declared that if the study of the Bible is to be excluded from all state schools, then the state would be better off if the state gave all of its schools back to the ___________.
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The founders did not believe that encouraging religion in schools was ___________ rather they believed just the opposite.
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The primary goal of education in America's early centuries was to know ___________ and Jesus Christ.
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Benjamin Rush had announced that the ______________________ should be read in our schools in preference to all other books.
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Noah Webster was a soldier during the ______________________ Revolution.
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Noah Webster's famous textbook was his ______________________ speller.
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Noah Webster's philosophy of education was that the ______________________ religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children should be instructed.
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George Washington concluded that the moral principles and precepts contained in the ______________________ ought to be the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.
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George Washington told Delaware Indian chiefs that Congress would look upon their youth as their own children, and would look after and train them with the same care and diligence that they did their own youth, and would teach them above all the ______________________ of Jesus Christ.
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Samuel Adams was known as the ______________________ of the American Revolution.
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Noah Webster's speller was introduced in the year ______________________.
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Noah Webster's speller was popularly known as ______________________ because of the distinctive color of its cover.
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According to Noah Webster, the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the ______________________ and privileges of a free people.
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Study Notes
America's Educational Heritage
- America has been educating students for five centuries, with a strong emphasis on education since the arrival of the first colonists.
- The goal of education has remained unchanged, with a focus on more than just technological advancements, but also on the content learned and the ability to think critically.
Historical Education Standards
- In 1862, a geography test for fourth-graders in Chicago Public Schools asked questions such as:
- How many degrees of longitude are there?
- How many degrees wide are the temperate zones?
- What is a watershed?
- Name the principal animals of the frigid zones.
- Arithmetic tests in 1862 required elementary students to solve mental math problems, such as:
- Ensuring 2/3 of a shop worth 3,600and4/5ofahouseworth3,600 and 4/5 of a house worth 3,600and4/5ofahouseworth6,000, paying $126.
- Exchanging nine 100sharesat15100 shares at 15% discount for eight 100sharesat15100 bonds at 2% discount.
Mental Math Exercises
- In 1877, elementary students solved mental math problems, such as:
- If a boat worth $864, of which 1/8 belonged to A, 1/4 to B, and the rest to C, was lost, what did each lose?
- On a farm, if there were 60 animals (horses, cows, and sheep), with three cows for each horse and two sheep for each cow, how many animals of each kind were there?
- If seven men could do a piece of work in four days, how long would it take if three men left when the work was half completed?
Early American Educational Institutions
- Harvard, Yale, and Princeton were prominent schools that produced many of America's founding fathers and early leaders.
- Harvard's two mottos were "For Christ and the Church" and "For the glory of Christ."
- Harvard's educational philosophy was based on biblical principles, with students required to:
- Read the Scriptures twice a day.
- Consider Christ as the foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.
Yale's Educational Philosophy
- Yale's goal was to obtain the clearest conceptions of divine things and to lead students to a saving knowledge of God in His Son Jesus Christ.
- Yale required students to:
- Live a religious and blameless life according to God's Word.
- Diligently read the Holy Scriptures.
- Attend all duties of religion.
Princeton's Educational Philosophy
-
Princeton was started by the Presbyterians as a school to train ministers of the gospel.
-
Princeton's president, John Witherspoon, required students to:
- Attend worship in the College Hall morning and evening.
- Attend public worship on the Sabbath.
- Participate in exercises for their religious instruction.### American Government and Education
-
The true friend of Liberty in America would promote religion and morality, as American government was seen as a reflection of American citizens, and if citizens became profane and immoral, the government would also become profane and immoral.
Early American Education
- Prominent American educators, such as John Witherspoon, equipped students with a biblical foundation and academic education, directly confronting two centuries of tradition and law imposed by the British.
- They founded some of the first schools for women and African Americans, which was unheard of at that time.
- Examples include John Witherspoon personally training African American students at Princeton, including John Chavez, who went on to become a famous preacher and educator in North Carolina.
Founding Fathers and Education
- Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration and the Constitution, helped found a series of schools for African Americans, training students both in academics and in the principles of Christianity.
- Benjamin Rush, another signer of the Declaration, helped open education for women and was intimately involved with the first American school to educate women.
- Founding fathers, such as John Witherspoon, John Quincy Adams, and Fisher Ames, believed that education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God.
Early American Education Laws
- America's first public education laws were passed in 1642, requiring that public schools be started in each community to provide a sound academic education based on God's Word.
- The Old Deluder Satan Act, enacted in 1642, declared that the chief project of Satan was to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, and therefore required public schools to be started in each community.
- The Northwest Ordinance, passed in 1787, directly linked religion and public education, declaring that "religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."
Influence of Christianity on American Education
- The philosophy of American education was that it was necessary to teach the Word of God to prevent government misbehavior and atrocities.
- Foreign visitors, such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Edward Kendall, observed and documented the religious nature of American public education.
- The Bible was a central part of American education, with many textbooks and educational materials based on the Bible.
- State constitutions, such as that of Pennsylvania in 1802, declared that "religion, morality, and knowledge being essentially necessary to the good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of instruction shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision."
Later Developments in American Education
-
By the late 19th century, American education had begun to move away from its Christian roots, with the Bible being removed from schools and the focus shifting to secular education.
-
Many educators and statesmen, such as dr. Benjamin Rush and Fisher Ames, warned about the dangers of removing the Bible from schools and the consequences of not teaching the principles of Christianity.
-
The impact of Christian education on American society was profound, with many of the country's early leaders and educators believing that it was essential to the country's success and prosperity.### The Role of the Bible in American Education
-
Benjamin Rush believed the Bible should be read in schools in preference to all other books.
-
The Bible has been largely removed from the classroom, despite the efforts of early leaders to include it.
Noah Webster's Impact on Education
- Noah Webster was a famous American who played a significant role in education.
- He was a soldier, legislator, judge, and contributed to the language of the Constitution.
- Webster helped found Amherst College and authored numerous textbooks on various subjects, including his famous dictionary.
- He is often referred to as the "Schoolmaster to America".
- Webster's first textbook, "The Speller", introduced in 1783, became the standard spelling book for American schools for the next 150 years.
- In his early texts, every page, including the cover page, was filled with useful information, including Bible verses.
Noah Webster's Philosophy of Education
- Webster believed that the Christian religion should be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
- His school texts included rigorous academic exercises, moral lessons, and religious lessons.
- Webster acknowledged the important role that Christianity had played in the establishment of America as a successful independent nation.
Noah Webster's Textbooks
- In his "History of the United States" textbook, Webster taught students about the principles of republican government and the importance of the Bible.
- He emphasized that the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures should be the basis of all civil constitutions and laws.
George Washington's Educational Philosophy
- George Washington was a strong supporter of sound education, as evident throughout his presidency.
- He believed that education should include the teaching of the religion of Jesus Christ.
- In 1779, Washington received Delaware Indian youth and assured their chiefs that they would be trained in American schools, including the learning of the religion of Jesus Christ.
Samuel Adams' Views on Education
- Samuel Adams, known as the "Father of the American Revolution", believed that education should focus on the teaching of the Christian religion.
America's Educational Heritage
- America has been educating students for five centuries, with a strong emphasis on education since the arrival of the first colonists.
- The goal of education has remained unchanged, with a focus on more than just technological advancements, but also on the content learned and the ability to think critically.
Historical Education Standards
- In 1862, a geography test for fourth-graders in Chicago Public Schools asked questions such as:
- How many degrees of longitude are there?
- How many degrees wide are the temperate zones?
- What is a watershed?
- Name the principal animals of the frigid zones.
- Arithmetic tests in 1862 required elementary students to solve mental math problems, such as:
- Ensuring 2/3 of a shop worth 3,600and4/5ofahouseworth3,600 and 4/5 of a house worth 3,600and4/5ofahouseworth6,000, paying $126.
- Exchanging nine 100sharesat15100 shares at 15% discount for eight 100sharesat15100 bonds at 2% discount.
Mental Math Exercises
- In 1877, elementary students solved mental math problems, such as:
- If a boat worth $864, of which 1/8 belonged to A, 1/4 to B, and the rest to C, was lost, what did each lose?
- On a farm, if there were 60 animals (horses, cows, and sheep), with three cows for each horse and two sheep for each cow, how many animals of each kind were there?
- If seven men could do a piece of work in four days, how long would it take if three men left when the work was half completed?
Early American Educational Institutions
- Harvard, Yale, and Princeton were prominent schools that produced many of America's founding fathers and early leaders.
- Harvard's two mottos were "For Christ and the Church" and "For the glory of Christ."
- Harvard's educational philosophy was based on biblical principles, with students required to:
- Read the Scriptures twice a day.
- Consider Christ as the foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.
Yale's Educational Philosophy
- Yale's goal was to obtain the clearest conceptions of divine things and to lead students to a saving knowledge of God in His Son Jesus Christ.
- Yale required students to:
- Live a religious and blameless life according to God's Word.
- Diligently read the Holy Scriptures.
- Attend all duties of religion.
Princeton's Educational Philosophy
-
Princeton was started by the Presbyterians as a school to train ministers of the gospel.
-
Princeton's president, John Witherspoon, required students to:
- Attend worship in the College Hall morning and evening.
- Attend public worship on the Sabbath.
- Participate in exercises for their religious instruction.### American Government and Education
-
The true friend of Liberty in America would promote religion and morality, as American government was seen as a reflection of American citizens, and if citizens became profane and immoral, the government would also become profane and immoral.
Early American Education
- Prominent American educators, such as John Witherspoon, equipped students with a biblical foundation and academic education, directly confronting two centuries of tradition and law imposed by the British.
- They founded some of the first schools for women and African Americans, which was unheard of at that time.
- Examples include John Witherspoon personally training African American students at Princeton, including John Chavez, who went on to become a famous preacher and educator in North Carolina.
Founding Fathers and Education
- Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration and the Constitution, helped found a series of schools for African Americans, training students both in academics and in the principles of Christianity.
- Benjamin Rush, another signer of the Declaration, helped open education for women and was intimately involved with the first American school to educate women.
- Founding fathers, such as John Witherspoon, John Quincy Adams, and Fisher Ames, believed that education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God.
Early American Education Laws
- America's first public education laws were passed in 1642, requiring that public schools be started in each community to provide a sound academic education based on God's Word.
- The Old Deluder Satan Act, enacted in 1642, declared that the chief project of Satan was to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, and therefore required public schools to be started in each community.
- The Northwest Ordinance, passed in 1787, directly linked religion and public education, declaring that "religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."
Influence of Christianity on American Education
- The philosophy of American education was that it was necessary to teach the Word of God to prevent government misbehavior and atrocities.
- Foreign visitors, such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Edward Kendall, observed and documented the religious nature of American public education.
- The Bible was a central part of American education, with many textbooks and educational materials based on the Bible.
- State constitutions, such as that of Pennsylvania in 1802, declared that "religion, morality, and knowledge being essentially necessary to the good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of instruction shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision."
Later Developments in American Education
-
By the late 19th century, American education had begun to move away from its Christian roots, with the Bible being removed from schools and the focus shifting to secular education.
-
Many educators and statesmen, such as dr. Benjamin Rush and Fisher Ames, warned about the dangers of removing the Bible from schools and the consequences of not teaching the principles of Christianity.
-
The impact of Christian education on American society was profound, with many of the country's early leaders and educators believing that it was essential to the country's success and prosperity.### The Role of the Bible in American Education
-
Benjamin Rush believed the Bible should be read in schools in preference to all other books.
-
The Bible has been largely removed from the classroom, despite the efforts of early leaders to include it.
Noah Webster's Impact on Education
- Noah Webster was a famous American who played a significant role in education.
- He was a soldier, legislator, judge, and contributed to the language of the Constitution.
- Webster helped found Amherst College and authored numerous textbooks on various subjects, including his famous dictionary.
- He is often referred to as the "Schoolmaster to America".
- Webster's first textbook, "The Speller", introduced in 1783, became the standard spelling book for American schools for the next 150 years.
- In his early texts, every page, including the cover page, was filled with useful information, including Bible verses.
Noah Webster's Philosophy of Education
- Webster believed that the Christian religion should be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
- His school texts included rigorous academic exercises, moral lessons, and religious lessons.
- Webster acknowledged the important role that Christianity had played in the establishment of America as a successful independent nation.
Noah Webster's Textbooks
- In his "History of the United States" textbook, Webster taught students about the principles of republican government and the importance of the Bible.
- He emphasized that the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures should be the basis of all civil constitutions and laws.
George Washington's Educational Philosophy
- George Washington was a strong supporter of sound education, as evident throughout his presidency.
- He believed that education should include the teaching of the religion of Jesus Christ.
- In 1779, Washington received Delaware Indian youth and assured their chiefs that they would be trained in American schools, including the learning of the religion of Jesus Christ.
Samuel Adams' Views on Education
- Samuel Adams, known as the "Father of the American Revolution", believed that education should focus on the teaching of the Christian religion.
America's Educational Heritage
- America has been educating students for five centuries, with a strong emphasis on education since the arrival of the first colonists.
- The goal of education has remained unchanged, with a focus on more than just technological advancements, but also on the content learned and the ability to think critically.
Historical Education Standards
- In 1862, a geography test for fourth-graders in Chicago Public Schools asked questions such as:
- How many degrees of longitude are there?
- How many degrees wide are the temperate zones?
- What is a watershed?
- Name the principal animals of the frigid zones.
- Arithmetic tests in 1862 required elementary students to solve mental math problems, such as:
- Ensuring 2/3 of a shop worth 3,600and4/5ofahouseworth3,600 and 4/5 of a house worth 3,600and4/5ofahouseworth6,000, paying $126.
- Exchanging nine 100sharesat15100 shares at 15% discount for eight 100sharesat15100 bonds at 2% discount.
Mental Math Exercises
- In 1877, elementary students solved mental math problems, such as:
- If a boat worth $864, of which 1/8 belonged to A, 1/4 to B, and the rest to C, was lost, what did each lose?
- On a farm, if there were 60 animals (horses, cows, and sheep), with three cows for each horse and two sheep for each cow, how many animals of each kind were there?
- If seven men could do a piece of work in four days, how long would it take if three men left when the work was half completed?
Early American Educational Institutions
- Harvard, Yale, and Princeton were prominent schools that produced many of America's founding fathers and early leaders.
- Harvard's two mottos were "For Christ and the Church" and "For the glory of Christ."
- Harvard's educational philosophy was based on biblical principles, with students required to:
- Read the Scriptures twice a day.
- Consider Christ as the foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.
Yale's Educational Philosophy
- Yale's goal was to obtain the clearest conceptions of divine things and to lead students to a saving knowledge of God in His Son Jesus Christ.
- Yale required students to:
- Live a religious and blameless life according to God's Word.
- Diligently read the Holy Scriptures.
- Attend all duties of religion.
Princeton's Educational Philosophy
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Princeton was started by the Presbyterians as a school to train ministers of the gospel.
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Princeton's president, John Witherspoon, required students to:
- Attend worship in the College Hall morning and evening.
- Attend public worship on the Sabbath.
- Participate in exercises for their religious instruction.### American Government and Education
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The true friend of Liberty in America would promote religion and morality, as American government was seen as a reflection of American citizens, and if citizens became profane and immoral, the government would also become profane and immoral.
Early American Education
- Prominent American educators, such as John Witherspoon, equipped students with a biblical foundation and academic education, directly confronting two centuries of tradition and law imposed by the British.
- They founded some of the first schools for women and African Americans, which was unheard of at that time.
- Examples include John Witherspoon personally training African American students at Princeton, including John Chavez, who went on to become a famous preacher and educator in North Carolina.
Founding Fathers and Education
- Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration and the Constitution, helped found a series of schools for African Americans, training students both in academics and in the principles of Christianity.
- Benjamin Rush, another signer of the Declaration, helped open education for women and was intimately involved with the first American school to educate women.
- Founding fathers, such as John Witherspoon, John Quincy Adams, and Fisher Ames, believed that education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God.
Early American Education Laws
- America's first public education laws were passed in 1642, requiring that public schools be started in each community to provide a sound academic education based on God's Word.
- The Old Deluder Satan Act, enacted in 1642, declared that the chief project of Satan was to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, and therefore required public schools to be started in each community.
- The Northwest Ordinance, passed in 1787, directly linked religion and public education, declaring that "religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."
Influence of Christianity on American Education
- The philosophy of American education was that it was necessary to teach the Word of God to prevent government misbehavior and atrocities.
- Foreign visitors, such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Edward Kendall, observed and documented the religious nature of American public education.
- The Bible was a central part of American education, with many textbooks and educational materials based on the Bible.
- State constitutions, such as that of Pennsylvania in 1802, declared that "religion, morality, and knowledge being essentially necessary to the good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of instruction shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision."
Later Developments in American Education
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By the late 19th century, American education had begun to move away from its Christian roots, with the Bible being removed from schools and the focus shifting to secular education.
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Many educators and statesmen, such as dr. Benjamin Rush and Fisher Ames, warned about the dangers of removing the Bible from schools and the consequences of not teaching the principles of Christianity.
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The impact of Christian education on American society was profound, with many of the country's early leaders and educators believing that it was essential to the country's success and prosperity.### The Role of the Bible in American Education
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Benjamin Rush believed the Bible should be read in schools in preference to all other books.
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The Bible has been largely removed from the classroom, despite the efforts of early leaders to include it.
Noah Webster's Impact on Education
- Noah Webster was a famous American who played a significant role in education.
- He was a soldier, legislator, judge, and contributed to the language of the Constitution.
- Webster helped found Amherst College and authored numerous textbooks on various subjects, including his famous dictionary.
- He is often referred to as the "Schoolmaster to America".
- Webster's first textbook, "The Speller", introduced in 1783, became the standard spelling book for American schools for the next 150 years.
- In his early texts, every page, including the cover page, was filled with useful information, including Bible verses.
Noah Webster's Philosophy of Education
- Webster believed that the Christian religion should be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
- His school texts included rigorous academic exercises, moral lessons, and religious lessons.
- Webster acknowledged the important role that Christianity had played in the establishment of America as a successful independent nation.
Noah Webster's Textbooks
- In his "History of the United States" textbook, Webster taught students about the principles of republican government and the importance of the Bible.
- He emphasized that the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures should be the basis of all civil constitutions and laws.
George Washington's Educational Philosophy
- George Washington was a strong supporter of sound education, as evident throughout his presidency.
- He believed that education should include the teaching of the religion of Jesus Christ.
- In 1779, Washington received Delaware Indian youth and assured their chiefs that they would be trained in American schools, including the learning of the religion of Jesus Christ.
Samuel Adams' Views on Education
- Samuel Adams, known as the "Father of the American Revolution", believed that education should focus on the teaching of the Christian religion.
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