Horace Mann was the father of the American School System. Horace Mann s had many reforms on education. He was born in 1796. Mann determined what the purpose of education should be based on his own experience and observation. Mann also had many ideas how education could be improved. Many of these ideas have been followed by schools today as well. Mann also had ideas on topics which one considers today to be controversial. The public should take into account what Mann s ideas were on these issues.

Horace Mann s reforms and ideas have had influence during his time, and now in our time on many issues. Some of issues the issues are the purpose of education and the improvement of education. The purpose of education is a large subject and Horace Mann covered it completely throughout his life. Even today the purpose of our schools is almost the same as what Horace Mann prescribed it should be long ago.

Mann wanted the common schools to be available to everyone. He wanted it to be available to people that were rich, poor, and of different backgrounds. Public schools try to be this today; they are free to everyone and nondiscriminatory. Mann believed in public support and control of schools.

Mann thought that education was a right that was passed on from generation to generation. Denying children this right was horrible to Mann. Today in the United States, education of the public is seen as a right and is partaken in by countless young people every year. Horace Mann thought that if children were taught well they would make good goverrment officials.

Mann thought that schools must emphasize moral, civic, and cultural values. These ideas are what schools try to accomplish today. Mann believed in a common program in schools that would educate everyone. He thought that common schools should not teach vocational training, but instead offer an education beneficial to all. Schools today follow the same purpose that Mann laid out long ago. Schools today follow Mann s ideas by offering a program that opens opportunities in any field. There is also a common curriculum in most schools because many courses are state required and standard to all schools.

Mann thought that schools should teach a complete educational program including physical education and musical education. Schools today teach physical education and music to provide their students with a better educational experience.

Mann thought also that schools should have nothing to do in their religion and politics. Ideally, this is what public schools and teachers try to do today. Religion is not a part of the public school today.

During Mann s twelve years as secretary of the Massachusetts board of education he sent back reports to the board as to the condition of schools and what he thought should be taught in them. His ideas in these reports revolved around six ideas: (1) that a republic cannot long remain ignorant and free, hence the necessity of universal education; (2) that such education must be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that such education is best provided in schools embracing children of all religious, social, and ethnic backgrounds; (4) that such education, while profoundly moral in character, must be free of sectarian religious influence; (5) that such education must be permeated throughout by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society, which preclude pedagogy in the classroom; and (6) that such education can be provided only by well-trained, professional teachers . Most of the ideas that Mann set long ago are followed today. Mann has had a lasting effect in determining what our schools became. Horace Mann worked throughout his life to improve the quality of education in America. In 1937, Mann accepted a job as the secretary of the state board of education in Massachusetts. This may seem simple, but he had to make many sacrifices. Mann had to do twice the work that he was doing in his former job, but for half the pay. This act showed that Mann wanted badly to help the education system