African American Education History

In the late 1800s, reformers aimed to improve public schools to prepare youth for work and citizenship. By 1900, school attendance increased, and curricula expanded to include new subjects. However, educational opportunities were unequal, with African-Americans and immigrants facing significant barriers. Efforts by individuals like Mary McLeod Bethune and Booker T. Washington sought to improve access. Higher education also evolved, with new courses and institutions emerging to meet industrial needs, while African-American leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois advocated for liberal arts education to empower the community.

What was one of the main goals of educational reformers in the late 1800s?

• To focus solely on physical education

• To eliminate public schooling

• To prepare young people for work and citizenship

• To reduce the number of schools

By the year 1900, what percentage of American children aged 8 to 14 were attending school?

• Half

• One-third

• All

• Two-thirds

What was a common criticism of the education system in the early 1900s?

• Overemphasis on sports

• Lack of physical education

• Focus on rote memorization

• Too much emphasis on arts

Which new subjects were added to the high school curriculum in the early 1900s?

• Physical Education and Health

• Art and Music

• Science, Government, and Social Studies

• Home Economics and Cooking

Who was a key figure in improving educational opportunities for African Americans?

• Booker T. Washington

• Mary McLeod Bethune

• Frederick Douglass

• W.E.B. Du Bois

Why did many immigrants attend school in the late 1800s and early 1900s?

• To learn new languages

• To become more American

• To study art

• To avoid work

What percentage of Americans attended college in the late 1800s?

• 50%

• 25%

• 10%

• 2%

Which institutions were established to provide higher education for African Americans after the Civil War?

• Stanford and MIT

• Howard, Atlanta, and Fisk

• Harvard and Yale

• Princeton and Columbia

What was Booker T. Washington's approach to African-American education?

• Focus on liberal arts

• Emphasize practical skills

• Promote sports education

• Encourage artistic expression

What did W.E.B. Du Bois advocate for in African-American education?

• Technical training

• Military training

• Liberal arts education

• Vocational skills