I think that the distinctive features by which the common school movement was established were important in helping maintain some form of social order and providing equal opportunity. I agree with the notion that educating all young children, regardless of religious or cultural background, was important in making sure that these individuals stayed away from a life of crime and poverty and also maintaining stability. Yes, it may have been the case that the upper classes were only interested in educating these individuals to make life more pleasing for themselves, but it was still important for all young children to be educated. Even in today’s society there seems to be is a correlation between high levels of crime and poverty and low levels of attained education. I’m sure that everyone in today’s world would agree that everyone should have equal access to education. I would also agree with the belief that educating children in common, regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social differences would promote tolerance and reduce hostility.
However, from reading through the chapter, I found myself continuously disagreeing with the belief that the schools should be in charge of teaching children proper morals. Of course children should learn right from wrong, but as it was mentioned in the book, the major problem that arises from teachings morals is exactly whose morals should be taught? What may be considered good and just morals for one group of individuals may not be considered good for another group, and by group I mean religious groups because religion was the main motivation for this push towards teaching morality. Horace Mann’s belief, as described in the Twelfth Annual Report, was that the teachings of the Bible and of Christianity should be integrated into the school curriculum, and I believe that is a serious problem and a major flaw in the argument for moral teachings. It is nearly impossible to distinguish morality from religion as much of the arguments, such as Mann’s, stem from religious beliefs. I would even say that many of the individuals, who have argued in favor of moral teachings in schools, are only hiding their true desire to integrate religious teachings into schools which would go against the principles of the separation between church and state.
I believe teachings of morality should be left to parents and families. It would be a mistake to allow for other members of a society to instill their beliefs and ideas on one’s child. As Jefferson argued, the main purpose of school and education is to teach young individuals to think freely and develop their own views and ideas of the world around them. With that being said, will education reformers and policymakers today continue making a push for moral teachings? Will it be possible to incorporate moral teachings without any religious influence?
