November Meeting 2001 November 2001 Program
Taken from the Pawtuxet Valley Historian Volume 15 Issue 4
November 2001 Meeting Mr. Dick Carbone, a forum speaker for the Providence Preservation Society, spoke on 19th century schools in RI, a subject that has held his interest for many years. Here are some of the highlights:

• traditionally in the United States schools were run by religious denominations and enrollment was limited to those who professed a particular faith.
• The biggest supporters of public schools in Rhode Island were the mill owners. It was somewhat self-serving in that they needed people who were knowledgeable about manufacturing.
• Schools like Rhode Island School of Design were established for the study of textile manufacturing.
• In the 1820s Rhode Island received a windfall. Andrew JACKSON had become President and after paying off the national debt there was a large surplus which he distributed to the states. Rhode Island used its share to establish a state school fund, which still exists.
• People wanted schools but had little to say because the only people who could vote were those who owned at least $133 worth of real estate. The mill workers lived in company owned housing so that left them out.
• The Rhode Island Constitution of 1842, under which we still operate, made provisions for a state public school system.
• Henry BARNARD was a champion of the public school system. He approved of the implementation of a tax for that purpose and he took it upon himself to solicit funds from the wealthy.
• Barnard opened Teachers' Institutes, which were the prototype of "Normal" schools. (Normal is from the French word for standard and in this instance it means a standard way of teaching.)
• The Normal schools led to the certification of teachers. Close Window
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