Was School🏫Better 100 years ago?

“They don’t make it like they used to”

We always think the newest thing is the best thing… but sometimes perhaps we should take a lesson (or 8) from the past.

8 Things Better About School 100 Years Ago

1. Literacy

More Americans could read 100 years ago than today.

You read that right

In 1910, only 7.7% of Americans were illiterate (ref: NCES). Today, 21% of Americans have low literacy (graph below).

2. Vocational training

School was only 3-4 months a year. Kids spent the rest of their time in vocational training (aka helping mom & dad). While kids should get more of a say on what specific training they get, the idea of vocational training sounds pretty grand!

3. Multi-age classrooms

Single Room School houses. Modern studies show that mixed-age classrooms improve academic outcomes & reduce bullying!

4. Small class size

Class sizes were on average 20 or less - do I need to say more?

5. Practical life skills

Practical life skills were part of learning at school - children learned sewing, woodworking, & as I've already mentioned kids were doing vocational training the rest of the time. College students barely know how to wash their clothes today but 100 years ago, they could MAKE their clothes!

6. Community

It was common to have a community mother be the teacher so teachers knew the kids in and out of school and typically taught their own kids creating a tight-knit community - it takes a village & all that.

7. "Open-air" schools

Windows were left open or kids learned outside under a tent were used to help kids' respiration & improve health problems during the winter months - poor ventilation in today's schools has been linked to reduced test scores, focus, & mental well-being.

8. Buses used to be drawn by horses!

OK this probably isn't better - but it sure looks fun!

School 100 years ago wasn't all butterflies & unicorns. Discipline was harsh, travel to & from school was treacherous, only 51% of kids were allowed to go, and the 3 Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) was about all you could hope for but that doesn't mean they got everything wrong.

Sometimes we need to look back to find the best path forward ♥️

Exciting things are afoot for 𝓒𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖋𝖎𝓔𝒅.

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