The American Story
In this part of the book, the time period is 1900-1950. In the year 1900, only about 6 percent of children in America graduated from high school. We later find out that by the year 1945, 51 percent graduated and out of that 51 percent, 40 actually went on to college. It is later recalled how much of an impact immigration, child labor laws, and explosive growth of cities fueled school attendance and transformed public education. For class we were to prepare the 4 As. The 4 A's were Agreement, Argument, Assumption, and Aspiration.
I agreed that immigration and growth of cities fueled schools attendance. I feel this way because those who immigrated here did so for a reason, and were willing to work very hard for a better life. Someone people escaped areas that probably would have killed them if they had not migrated. I also believe that the more people that are around, gives more of a variety. Some people may take education more serious than others, so have plenty of people can easy raise the amount of people that do take education seriously and can raise the attendance in schools. I argued that child labor laws really had a strong impact on attendance because a lot of those involved in child labor only knew about labor work. They were not used to exercise their mental brain, and focused more on their physical being. A child involved in labor may end up being more comfortable, as a sense of wellbeing, and may be less interested in an education, just based off what is the norm for them.
I assumed that education started to become more valued, and that is why the attendance went up. There started to be a change where having an education would put you higher than the person to your left and to your right. Back in the 1900s it was fair to assume that education really made a difference in life. A person going to school would be making the same as a person who was not. Now we have a hierarchy. Those who graduated high school, those who graduate college, those who go back for a masters, and those who go back for a graduate. The higher the education, the higher you are seemed to be placed in these imaginary standings. Lastly, I feel that motivation was probably the biggest impact on the attendance and development of education. I think this way because those who care about their education and who have dreams of having a better life, are those that aspire to get an education. They become the ones who value and education and believe it will allow them to achieve that dream house, that amazing car. The more that motivation spreads, the higher rate in attendance and achievement will be given.
This reading really made me think about how lucky I am to be getting an education. Yes, it may be hard to wake up at 7:30am and leave my nice warm bed to go to class. But I am so lucky to have the opportunity to achieve an education. I am fortunate to grow up in a time period where education is valued and I am encouraged to go to school and learn. Many kids growing up, including my parents, had to work as a first priority and then have an education second. It really affected them when moving to America because there is not much you can do here without an education (unless you're one of the few lucky ones). I am blessed to have 18 years of education and to be graduating and obtaining my bachelor's this summer! I cannot wait to walk at graduation!
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