{"id":1943,"date":"2024-01-10T13:59:29","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T18:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/?p=1943"},"modified":"2024-01-10T13:59:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T18:59:32","slug":"the-formation-of-education-in-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-formation-of-education-in-chicago-1943","title":{"rendered":"The formation of education in Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Initially, schools in Chicago taught basic skills such as arithmetic and writing. However, educational institutions evolved with each decade, giving students the opportunity to receive a professional education and learn core moral values. As reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/uk\/\">chicago1.one<\/a>, the process of education development in Chicago was not that easy, as it was often influenced by various social groups that resulted in conflicts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a31725c09615\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a31725c09615\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-formation-of-education-in-chicago-1943\/#The_first_schools_in_Chicago\" >The first schools in Chicago<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-formation-of-education-in-chicago-1943\/#What_was_education_in_public_schools_like\" >What was education in public schools like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-formation-of-education-in-chicago-1943\/#Formation_of_the_public_education_system\" >Formation of the public education system<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-formation-of-education-in-chicago-1943\/#The_most_influential_teacher_organization_in_the_United_States\" >The most influential teacher organization in the United States<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-formation-of-education-in-chicago-1943\/#How_the_World_Wars_affected_the_development_of_education_in_Chicago\" >How the World Wars affected the development of education in Chicago<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_first_schools_in_Chicago\"><\/span>The first schools in Chicago<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicago1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2023\/12\/ghabpqg093fbqsqqjqm1w88jnerchzm9nv-mp_bpkrruwg8pvr4_qdvsfsytkiluuy0rrxutyydldlxsn9401sgcvotbkifhgcay1ceuna5eoeiaafvzk6hgylll4okgiqj2ofybsrra9bzmuygocju.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Educational establishments started to appear in Chicago in the 1830s when the city was a small settlement. According to historical chronicles, the first public school teacher was Eliza Chappell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The activity of educational institutions was rather disorganized during that period. One teacher could give lessons to several classes simultaneously, often comprising hundreds of students. In addition, schools were usually situated on premises not intended for this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Eliza Chappell&#8217;s school was originally a shop. The rooms in the small wooden building were separated by calico curtains. One of the rooms was used for classes, while the other one was occupied by a teacher.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1837, when a charter was granted to Chicago, voluntary examiners began working at schools. Their main tasks were to inspect schools located in poorly equipped and unsuitable buildings. At the same time, there was a critical lack of funds to maintain educational establishments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_was_education_in_public_schools_like\"><\/span>What was education in public schools like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Only a small percentage of children with the right to education were allowed to study at state schools. The majority of students attended parish and private educational institutions. Quite often, there were cases when parents did not send their children to school.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teachers usually could not pay attention to all children because of the large size of classrooms. Therefore, they focused on listening to how children read. During the lesson, students read the Bible in unison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only the most gifted children could receive more extensive knowledge. However, wealthy families preferred private tutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 1850s, the local authorities finally decided to address the quality of education and appointed school inspectors who were involved in reforming educational institutions. The primary duties of the inspectors included the introduction of classes for children based on their age, the development of material and technical resources and the improvement of teacher training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reforms produced good results. For the first time in a while, classroom occupancy rates declined, directly impacting the quality of training. Regular exams and grades were introduced as well. According to recommendations of one of the most famous inspectors, William Wells, schools should shift their focus from mechanical memorization of material and encourage primary school-aged children to engage in various types of intellectual leisure. It was on the initiative of Wells that the first high school was opened in Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Formation_of_the_public_education_system\"><\/span>Formation of the public education system<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicago1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2023\/12\/n8avco23measngpwtud5cjwf1djn2xqdhlq-93tyba6b1ciqt6gezhp9pqr37wqbzw09e6azrg5egsb844ndoatv9tvx0gcjykpayka0xaw7tbtle3w76til-gz3cycts2gnut9njlyqf18aksvpqmw.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Only from the 1860s, Chicago began to develop a public education system similar to other major cities in the United States. The number of state schools sharply increased, often exceeding the number of those who wanted to get an education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Board of Education was established at the initiative of the local government to oversee public education in Chicago. Then, there were proposals for the development of a multi-level education system, including primary, specialized secondary education courses and post-high school courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, the confrontation between private and Catholic schools continued in Chicago. In particular, German immigrants demanded that education in their schools be conducted exclusively in their native language, whereas Catholics banned reading of the Bible in public schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1900, the population of the city had risen significantly, affecting the number of public schools. Since many educational institutions did not have enough classrooms, students had to cluster at one desk. For example, a child would lose their seat and have to wait until a new one became available if they missed a class for any reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lessons were often held in completely unsuitable basements with minimal amounts of school supplies. The Chicago Board of Education tried to enhance education by publishing new guides for students and teachers and developing teaching methods for main subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, physical punishment was a widely employed disciplinary measure in the education system until 1880. Only after the 1880s, such a punishment was abolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_most_influential_teacher_organization_in_the_United_States\"><\/span>The most influential teacher organization in the United States<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicago1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2023\/12\/wilnkswn3cnmhw8jdawcbpz5wdxlq2ripsogyyh2mdhxdryqyskajqmhpbsffqdabokd8kpmkl9qvytilqe7-86wndmmmesiitmwgqb-ibwqjpdewzspqrs2wpua6bdcr51zv86q29uezz4hxms-zqe.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of people willing to become teachers constantly grew and reached 5,000 individuals at the beginning of the 1900s. About a thousand more were engaged in teaching in parochial and private educational institutions. However, the majority of teachers were native American women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1897, the Teachers Federation was founded in Chicago for the first time. The primary mission of the new organization was to protect the salaries and pensions of teachers, as well as to improve their working conditions in public schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, thousands of members joined the Chicago Teachers Federation. As a result, it turned into the most influential organization of teachers in the United States in a fairly short period. Margaret Haley headed the organization for three decades. She spent her life defending teachers&#8217; rights and promoting increased funding for public schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 20th century, Chicago was considered the major center of educational reform in the United States. Ella Young, John Dewey, Francis Parker and William Wirt were leading reformers at that time. Together, they devised new academic programs and created teacher councils where educators could discuss various issues related to the educational process. More emphasis was placed on promoting the physical development of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After World War I, education in Chicago experienced a challenging period, which was characterized by corruption scandals and conflicts. Employment in schools was possible only through the patronage of local politicians who demanded rewards in exchange for their service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_the_World_Wars_affected_the_development_of_education_in_Chicago\"><\/span>How the World Wars affected the development of education in Chicago<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicago1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2023\/12\/munprmtt-w0yl58mjxyxuolfhpssi6eyjuyfe5hjeftposwxqmagutmulm7amikvmopl1nukktnoserckjqge0dvihqti0zmol-oqs2qscexzflgyacw4b7pnrvewpap8ujfgggoxtrhfrvhxjeo5hi.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Great Depression that engulfed the US had an impact on the development of Chicago as well. Following the end of World War I, a quarter of the city&#8217;s population was unemployed. Therefore, the income level in Chicago steadily declined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During this period, teachers were paid not in cash but through so-called &#8220;script&#8221; notes, which the local government promised to redeem. 1933 became one of the toughest years for Chicago education because teachers did not receive any compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Programs like WPA, NYA and New Deal were introduced in the city to help the unemployed. Thanks to them, many new schools were built. However, the programs did not cover the expenses of maintaining public schools. Teachers and other staff were dismissed in large numbers. More and more students quit school because they could not find jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The polio epidemic in Chicago in 1937 worsened the already complicated situation even more. The city&#8217;s health department enforced a three-week quarantine in schools. Education inspectors managed to organize remote learning for elementary school students via radio broadcasting. This was the first time radio broadcasts were used for distance learning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Initially, schools in Chicago taught basic skills such as arithmetic and writing. However, educational institutions evolved with each decade, giving students the opportunity to receive a professional education and learn core moral values. As reported by chicago1.one, the process of education development in Chicago was not that easy, as it was often influenced by various [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":329,"featured_media":1893,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1166],"tags":[1313,1311,1316,1320,1312,1315,1319,1314,1310,1308,1317,1318],"moimportance":[78,81],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[93],"class_list":{"0":"post-1943","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-education","8":"tag-educational-establishments-started-to-appear-in-chicago-in-the-1830s","9":"tag-educational-institutions-evolved-with-each-decade","10":"tag-eliza-chappells-school-was-originally-a-shop","11":"tag-formation-of-the-public-education-system","12":"tag-schools-in-chicago-taught-basic-skills-such-as-arithmetic-and-writing-however","13":"tag-schools-were-usually-situated-on-premises-not-intended-for-this-purpose","14":"tag-students-read-the-bible-in-unison","15":"tag-the-activity-of-educational-institutions-was-rather-disorganized-during-that-period","16":"tag-the-first-schools-in-chicago","17":"tag-the-formation-of-education-in-chicago","18":"tag-voluntary-examiners-began-working-at-schools","19":"tag-what-was-education-in-public-schools-like","20":"moimportance-golovna-novina","21":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","22":"motype-eternal","23":"moformat-longrid-korotka"},"modified_by":"Inna Hananova","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/329"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1943"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1944,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943\/revisions\/1944"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1943"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=1943"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=1943"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicago1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=1943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}