Public Education (E-2)
Description
"It is in fact a part of the function of education to help us escape, not from our own time — for we are bound by that — but from the intellectual and emotional limitations of our time."
- T. S. Eliot
Recognition of the importance of public education, for both the individual and society, is as old as Western civilization. There is a lot of science behind teaching and even more intuition and intelligence behind its success and yet, more often than not, there is inadequate support for curricula and learning, and small thanks or remuneration for even the most excellent teachers.
Like others called to public service, those working in public education are there to make a difference in the lives of their students and because of their commitment there have been wonderful developments in public education over time. First of all, there is no age limit to accessing public education. Many return to public education institutions as adults beyond the age associated with specific educational levels. Curricula continue to expand to include more diverse groups of student as well as new areas of study that help to keep public education relevant and accessible.
In the age of electronic access to information, those interested in accessing public education has many more options including online line courses and e-publications. The exhibits in this gallery allow up to reflect on the accomplishments of public education and the stalwarts that made important contributions to public education in roles such as public policy development, supervision of public education institutions, as well as the unionization of teachers.
Collection Items
Paulo Freire
The Country School
James Benson Dudley
When James Dudley was elected to be the next president of The Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race, not much…
A Westerly View of the Colleges in Cambridge New England
Harvard University was the first college in the U.S., and was also the first to be used as a corporation. It was named after its first benefactor, John Harvard, and was originally a very religious institution.…
Get Ahead! Adult Education Classes
Federal Art Project, sponsor. By the People, For the People
Albany State Education Building
State Education Dept. Building in Albany, N. Y. has 36 Corinthian columns forming…
Albert Shanker, President of U.F.T.
Amos Bronson Alcott, Teacher
Boston Latin School
Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, First Female Superintendent
For Whom The Bell Tolled
New England Primer Part One
President Johnson Signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Before the No Child Left Behind Act, there was the Elementary and Secondary…