Educational Influence of Horace Mann’s
Theories and Beliefs On May 4, 1796 an American education reformer was born. Horace Mann is best known for the promotion of public education and training within “normal schools”. As a result of the suffering education system in Massachusetts, a forceful reform became apparent leading to the nation’s first educational system. Above all, Secretary of Massachusetts, Horrace Mann, held an important role, as he had to portray moral leadership. In order to work up to expectations, Mann lectured on education to all those who were interested and created a journal entitled, “Common School Journal”, for all teachers. (Biography.com Editors, 2015) Mann left multiple influential principles of education, marking his triumph, still prevailing today. As Mann’s educational beliefs are broken down, the first theory is known as “value”. Within the value theory, Mann emphasizes on equality of education, high or low class. He exclaimed that if the lower class were able to experience the same educational tips as the already educated class, then they would have a better chance at competing with the wealthy. …show more content…
Horace asks humanity, “ What is the value of learning?” When one is approached with this question not many interpret it the way Mann does. He exclaims that individuals learn in order to improve oneself and their purpose in life. Therefore he says, “If all mankind were well fed, well clothed and well housed, they still might be half civilized.” (TAR, pg1) Through this quote he is trying to prove that although we can feed, cloth, and house, we aren’t getting closer to humanity, where as if learning was incorporated in every individuals life they can become closer to humanity. I believe that if one doesn’t learn, they wont understand the concept of human life. People learn