Takin’ You to School:

Issues in Education from a Historical Perspective

AHTC Summer Institute Lesson—2009

Marshall Schacht

To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.

Part 1: Compulsory Education:
Primary Source: “The Law”; Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction (1905); Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL

Description: This is a circular distributed by Ada H. Kepley, the Truant Officer for Effingham Schools. Its purpose is to inform the public about the specifics regarding compulsory education in Illinois.

Prompts:

· Should the government compel youth to attend school? Why? Have the reasons changed over time?

· Why does the law choose ages 7 through 14? Has this changed? Why?

· How many days must a student spend in school? Why that many? Has this changed over time? Should Illinois switch to year-round schooling?

· Does the law allow for home schooling? Does this undermine the intent of the law?

· What is defined as the penalty for truancy? Would this be an effective deterrent?

· What are the roles of the truant officer? What role is described for the teacher?

· In section four, what other penalty is outlined? Why would a parent commit this offence?

· On what date was this act originally passed? Describe the historical context in which this act became a law. Why then?

· What would life be like today without the truancy law?

· What changes would you make today to the truancy law?

· Is there ever a justification for students to not attend school?

· What about students that are expelled? Should they be considered truant?

Enrichment:

Research the truancy laws in Illinois today for purposes of comparison.

Discuss the Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder (free exercise of religion vs. compulsory attendance).