Part 2 (1900-1950): As American as Public School

    

    Part two of School: The Stor of American Public Education is based on the years of 1900- 1950. These years pick up right where part one of this book left off. Looking back, we know that part one talked about the beginnings of public schools and education in America. Towards the end, readers are able to see that America was figuring out its school system, and although they were not perfect and still learning, they understood the importance of having education for everyone. Now jumping to the 1900-1950, it is now a time in America that was full of waves of immigration from many different parts of the world. 

    One may wonder if they still offered education for all, including these immigrants. The truth is that although many think of the United States as a racist, unfair country, they opened up their schools to their citizens and to the incoming immigrants. Although they opened the doors of the schools to these immigrant families, many of the children went off to work instead of attending any classes. Even with all of those children not attending school, the majority of the immigrant families understood how important it was for their children and even themselves to receive an education in order to have a successful future in America. Because of the influx of  immigrant children joining public schools, many issues and questions started to arise within the nation. The main issue was with the language barriers between the immigrant children and the teachers. Issues such as language is what lead to much of the forms of teaching we have today. 

    Schools began to teach immigrants how to be American. If the children spoke in their native languages they would get swatted or spanked by their teachers. Schools also began to test children and would give those with low scores/ immigrants classes that would prepare them for work instead of offering them classes that would prepare them for college. Eventually those that took classes unrelated to education would even go into wars and face dangerous jobs, while those who were native English speaking, were rich, and contained high test scores would receive educated/ prestigious job positions. 

    I believe that the United States educates all children in the "you are American" view. Whether rich or poor, foreign born or native born all children will be taught how to read, write, and speak in English. All children enrolled in school in America will learn of American History, and American lifestyle. Although we do educate all children in American schools similarly there are some differences in certain areas. In my opinion I believe that school benefits the rich more than the poor, and benefits certain races more than others. Children in urban areas receive a less accelerated education than children in suburban towns. If a child is born into a wealthy family they will have more academic opportunities than those in low income families. I believe that the educational system in America fails immigrant children and fails many of its minorities, pushing them to a system that is built against them.