Schooling was not only seen as important to parents and the church but also to the government. The government had some control over the education system like setting a minimum wage, funding and creating schools (Kilpatrick). As early as 1462, in the city of Haarlem, “The City” school was created and in the same city in 1522 teachers were given a guaranteed salary (Kilpatrick). Records show that in 1567 the city paid for benches for the students at Jesus School and there was also free instruction made for the poor who could not afford to go to proper schools (Kilpatrick). The church in New Netherlands controlled who the teachers were, sextons and where the schools, while the municipal authorities controlled the selection of instructors, fixing the curricula and the general supervision of the school, but the church also participated in these decisions as well. Before 1850 schools were found in individual cities, but eventually the Provinces started making general regulations to the schools everywhere. The control of church and state over the schools was very important to the settlers.There were Calvinists, who was the minority religion, that wanted to enforce their …show more content…
In the beginning of the United States classrooms and schools started to change and the government began having a say. In 1790 the constitution states that there should be free public schools for the poor, but the rich are still expected to pay (Historical Timeline). Making schools free for the poor is a huge step in from the government that was not seen in the colonies. New York Public School Society use the “Lancasterian” model, in 1805, to teach many students in one classroom using the help of other students, which encourages discipline and obedience (Historical Timeline). Under the common law of 1812, New York developed a statewide system of public schools, in addition to this, the first Superintendent of Common Schools distributed aid from the Common School Fund and prompted local officials to set up school districts and submit reports (Folts). This law helped shape the future schools of New York because it made schools a state function under state control, funding schools became a state and local responsibility and finally, the school district is the administrative unit for public education (Folts). For the first time, there was a Superintendent to help support schools and encourage the government to get involved. The Legislature developed a Department of Public Instruction in 1854, which advised local school authorities,