Horace Mann & Education Reform: Contributions & Philosophy

About This Quiz & Worksheet

Horace Mann was a 19th century politician and social reformer who believed public education was the one of the best ways to maintain the growth of American democracy and culture. This quiz/worksheet combo will help you understand Mann's philosophy on education and his lasting influence on public schools in the United States.

Quiz & Worksheet Goals

In these assessments, you'll be tested on:

• Horace Mann's career as a reformer
• Where Mann studied law
• The Common School Movement
• Mann's views on public education and society
• Mann's efforts to reform education

Skills Practiced

This quiz and worksheet lets students practice the following skills:

• Knowledge application - use your understanding of Horace Mann's life and work to answer questions about how he contributed to education reform
• Defining key concepts - accurately define key terms such as common school, normal school and nonsectarian education
• Making connections - explain why Mann believed it was the society's responsibility to pay for public education
• Critical thinking - examine why Mann's position on nonsectarian education triggered resistance that continues to this day

Additional Learning

To learn more, review the accompanying lesson on Horace Mann and education reform. This lesson covers the following objectives:

• Understand Horace Mann's contribution to public education
• Understand the significance of the Common School Journal
• Explain the importance of Normal Schools
• Understand the reasoning for tax-funded public education
• Know important dates related to Mann's efforts on education reform