250 to 250:101. Horace Mann, Narrated by Nicholas Ferroni

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Horace Mann, Narrated by Nicholas Ferroni

Nicholas Ferroni is a nationally recognized high school history and cultural studies teacher best known for his work as an advocate for students, education policy, teacher pay, and host of the award-winning series, "Historically Correct." Ferroni profiles Horace Mann, the reformer known as the father of America's public schools, who championed free, universal education as democracy's great equalizer.

Horace Mann was born in Massachusetts in 1796.

• He is often called the father of the American public school system.
• Mann believed that education should be available to everyone.
• He worked to make public schools free for all children.
• He wanted students from different religions to attend the same public schools.
• He wanted a longer school year and better-trained teachers.
• Mann believed that a good education helped people become informed citizens.
• He believed education could make American democracy stronger.
• Mann later served in the U.S. Congress.
• He became president of Antioch College in Ohio.
• Antioch College admitted Black students and taught women and men together.
• Mann also supported equal pay for women teachers.
• He encouraged students to work to make life better for other people.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 7: 01. Where have you attended school full time or part time for the past 5 years?
• USCIS 100:36. / 128.48. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
• USCIS 100:42. / 128:59.  Name one power that is only for the states.

Family Fun:

• Antioch College: Horace Mann Pioneer In Education | Antioch Works for Democracy
• Dedam Museum and Archive: Horace Mann: Right to Free Public School
• Franklin Historical Museum: The Life of Horace Mann
• History: Who Invented Public School in America?
• Historically Correct: Website | YouTube
• Horace Mann League of the USA: Public Education: Imperative for Democracy
• Kerrie Naylor: Antioch: Vision and Revision
• NPS: The Struggle for Equal Education (more at Smith Court Stories)
• Lori E. Varlotta: Horace Mann’s Enduring Legacy at Antioch University: Education as a Force for Democracy
• Voices of Democracy: Horace Mann, “The Necessity of Education in a Republican Government” (Fall 1839)
• PBS Thirteen: Teach Civics: ‘Schools should be incubators for democracy’
• uscitizenpod: coloring pages: Horace Mann; Helping Children Learn; Public Education; Higher Education; Learning Never Ends