education

Education

The 19th Century

Early Statehood

County School Land Lease, Vermilion County 1828 / Typed Transcription

  • Before 1818, the United States General Land Office surveyed most of Illinois, so that public lands could be sold in an orderly fashion. The state was divided into square townships, each containing 36 square miles. The townships were subdivided into sections, which contained 640 acres. An act of Congress set aside Section 16 in each township to finance public education. In 1825, Illinois law required the establishment of county schools so that white citizens from ages 5 to 21 could receive a free education. Section 16 lands were leased and the proceeds went toward county schools.
  • Citation: Turnbaugh, Dr. Roy C. Jr. and Robert E. Bailey. Windows to the Past: A Selection of Illinois County Records from 1818 to 1880. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1985. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Putnam County School Land Sale Petition, 1835 / Typed Transcription

  • In 1834, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation permitting the sale of the Section 16 school lands. The proceeds would support public education for the township. Three-fourths of the township’s legal voters had to petition the School Commissioner for this section to be sold at a public auction. The section was then surveyed and valuations were made.
  • Citation: Turnbaugh, Dr. Roy C. Jr. and Robert E. Bailey. Windows to the Past: A Selection of Illinois County Records from 1818 to 1880. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1985. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Schuyler Common School Schedule, 1840 / Typed Transcription

  • State law dictated the format of early school attendance records. Attendance determined the amount of money that the teacher received from the school land fund. The teachers submitted these schedules to their local school trustees, who certified them and calculated the amount of money due the teacher. This amount was based on the attendance figures turned in by the teacher. Compulsory attendance did not begin in Illinois until 1883.
  • Citation: Turnbaugh, Dr. Roy C. Jr. and Robert E. Bailey. Windows to the Past: A Selection of Illinois County Records from 1818 to 1880. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1985. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Resolution on Teachers' Examinations, 2 December, 1840 / Typed Transcription

  • Abraham Lincoln sponsored the Committee on Education to look into teaching qualification exams before a teacher could be hired. This led to local school teaching certificates required by state legislation, although they did not have any guidelines for the qualification exams.
  • Citation: Illinois State Archives Staff. Abraham Lincoln in Illinois: A Selection of Documents From the Illinois State Archives. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 2008. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Petition for the Free Use of State Street Market Hall, 17 December 1855 / Typed Transcription

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Early Chicago, 1833-1871 A Selection of City Council Proceedings Files. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1999. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The Civil War

Order of the Committee on Schools Providing for Segregation, 23 March 1863 / Typed Transcription

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Early Chicago, 1833-1871 A Selection of City Council Proceedings Files. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1999. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The Late 19th Century

Law Concerning Schools, 1874

  • This series of acts did a variety of things for the public school system. The act authorizes the election of women into School Offices. The second and third act deal with administrative issues while the fourth act protects colored children’s right to attend school without threats or intimidation. All four were passed in 1874. These acts are also included on the African American page and the Women and Gender page.
  • Citation: Gross, William L., ed. The Statutes of Illinois: An Analytical Compilation of All the General Laws of the State in Force at the Present Time, Volume III: Acts of 1873-4. Riverside: H. O. Houghton & Company, 1874.

Communication from the Trade and Labor Assembly Concerning Compulsory Education, 16 December 1888 / Typed Transcription

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Communication from the Illinois Woman's Alliance Concerning Child Labor, 16 April 1890 / Typed Transcription

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Women May Vote at School Elections, 1891 / Typed Transcription

  • Women earned the right to vote for school officials in the state of Illinois in 1891.
  • Citation: Laws of the State of Illinois, 1891

An Act Concerning the Education of Children, 1889 

  • Changing labor laws in the late 19th century affected laws for childhood education as well. This 1889 law establishes that parents are responsible for keeping their children in school at least 16 weeks per years. The law also mandates that the board of education for each city appoint at least one truant officer.
  • Citation: Bateman, Newton, ed. School laws and common school decisions of the state of Illinois. Urbana : W. L. Pillsbury, 1889.

The 20th Century

World War I

Singing Patriotic Songs in Schools, 1917

  • In the months leading up to the United States' entry into World War One, patriotism ran high. Governor Lowden promoted patriotism by designating a week in which students in Illinois public and private schools were to sing particular patriotic songs. He made this proclamation on February 9, 1917. This document is cross-listed on the War and the Military page.
  • Citation: Marguerite Edith Jenison. War Documents and Addresses. Illinois in the World War: Vol. 6. Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1923.

"Students to Try Teacher Called Anti-American," 26 November 1917

  • German culture and those of German descent were objects of hatred during World War One. This article, published in the Chicago Tribune on 26 November 1917, tells the story of a German teacher (likely of German descent herself) in Winnetka, who was accused by students of being anti-American. She had allegedly remained her in seat while the Star-Spangled Banner was played at a school assembly. This document is cross-listed on the War and the Military page.
  • Citation: Chicago Tribune, 26 November 1917.

The Roaring Twenties

"Who Shall Control?" by William Jennings Bryan, June 1925

  • William Jennings Bryan was born in Salem, Illinois on 19 March 1860. He was a gifted speaker, lawyer, three-time presidential candidate, and devout Protestant. Bryan argued for the prosecution in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. In this speech, Bryan debated whether legislatures, boards of education, scientists, or teachers should have authority over schools. He argued that teachers cannot teach whatever they want and that Scopes was establishing a dangerous precedent. Bryan also asserted that Scopes was arrested as state representative not individual.
  • Citation: Bryan, William Jennings and Mary Baird Bryan. The Memoirs of William Jennings Bryan. Chicago: The John C. Winston Company, 1925.

William Jennings Bryan's Closing Argument, State of Tennessee v John Scopes, July 1925 / Summary by page

  • William Jennings Bryan's lengthy last speech was delivered in the State's closing argument of the Scopes Monkey Trial. In it, he cites five indictments of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Ultimately, the jury unanimously decided in favor of the defense.
  • Citation: Bryan, William Jennings and Mary Baird Bryan. The Memoirs of William Jennings Bryan. Chicago: The John C. Winston Company, 1925.

The Great Depression

Boys-Are You Interested in a Job? WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • This is a poster for the Illinois branch of the National Youth Administration (NYA) promoting educational opportunities for young men seeking training for employment. It shows a young man admiring his work.
  • Citation: “Boys – Are You Interested in a Job?: Find Out What an Occupation Has to Offer You in Pay, Employment, Security, and Promotion: Free Classes in Occupations,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1937, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Girls-Are You Interested in a Job? WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • This poster advertises for the Illinois branch of the National Youth Administration (NYA) promoting educational opportunities for young women seeking training for employment. It depicts four women engaged in various job pursuits.
  • Citation: “Girls – Are You Interested in a Job?: Find Out What an Occupation Has to Offer You in Pay, Employment, Security, and Promotion: Free Classes in Occupations,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1937, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Art, WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • This poster, from the WPA Adult Education Program of the Chicago Board of Education, announced free neighborhood art classes and showed men and women working at easels.
  • Citation: “Art – Free Neighborhood Classes for Adults … Enroll Now,” Chicago: Federal Art Project, 1936-1937, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Story Hour, WPA Poster, 1936-39

  • This poster shows a girl sitting at the knees of a woman holding an open book. Story hour was part of a WPA Recreation Project for District Number 2--Kane, Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties.
  • Citation: “Story Hour: W.P.A. Recreation Project – Dist. No. 2 / Shari,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1939, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Passports to Adventure, WPA Poster, 1936-39

  • This poster promotes reading as an avenue to adventure. It depicts a knight in armor and fleur-de-lis.
  • Citation: “Passports to Adventure,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1939, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Funny Side Up, WPA Poster, 1936-39

  • This poster, designed by Albert M. Bender, promotes reading and shows a boy's smiling face and an open book.
  • Citation: “Funny Side Up,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1939, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Little Miss Muffet, WPA Poster, 1936-40

  • This poster was designed by Arlington Gregg to promote reading among children. It depicts Miss Muffet sharing her picture book with a spider.
  • Citation: “Little Miss Muffet … Reading a Picture Book … / Gregg,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Be Kind to Books Club, WPA Poster, 1936-40

  • Designed by Arlington Gregg, this poster depicts a group of five children holding their book club banner.
  • Citation: “Be Kind to Books Club: Are You a Member? / Gregg,” Chicago: WPA Illinois Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

October's Bright Blue Weather, WPA Poster, 1936-40

  • This poster, designed by Albert M. Bender for the WPA Statewide Library Project-Illinois, depicts a boy reading a book, surrounded by a bat, ghost, witch, and other images of Halloween.
  • Citation: “October’s ‘Bright Blue Weather’: A Good Time to Read!” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Trip Around the World, WPA Poster, 1936-40

  • This poster advertises for Story Hour Club through the WPA Library Center and depicts a boy and girl observing a wooded mountain range while riding atop a book.
  • Citation: “A Trip Around the World at Story Hour Time: Story Hour Club – W.P.A. Library Center / Shari,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Art Classes for Children, WPA Posters, 1936-40 1/ 2

  1. This poster, designed by REK, depicts a child drawing on an easel.
  2. This poster, designed by Erel Osborn, depicts an abstractly-sketched child drawing with a pencil.
  • Citation:
    1. “Art Classes for Children / REK,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.
    2. “Art Classes for Children / Osborn,” Chicago: Illinois Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

September - Back to Work, Back to School, Back to Books, WPA Posters, 1936-40 1/ 2

  1. This poster, by V. Donaghue, promotes reading and library use. It depicts a girl pulling a younger boy away from bookshelves.
  2. This poster for the WPA Statewide Library Project shows a boy holding a book in his raised hand.

Citation:

  1. “September – Back to Work – Back to School – Back to BOOKS / V. Donaghue,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.
  2. “September – Back to Work … Back to School, Back to Books,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

New Trier Evening School, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster shows a woman wearing an apron with her hand in a bowl of food. Classes in language, home economics, commerce, and science are advertised.
  • Citation: “New Trier Evening School: Classes for Adults, Wednesday Evenings 7:30 – 9:30,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Art Week Chicago, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster promotes "Art week in Chicago," supported by Mayor Edward J. Kelly and E.W. Robertson of the Art Department of the Chicago Board of Education. It depicts an easel supporting an image of a woman wearing a headpiece "I will" with an eagle.
  • Citation: “Art Week in Chicago: By Proclamation of … Hon. Edward J. Kelly, Mayor: Art Dept. Chicago Board of Education, E.W. Robertson,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

In March, Read the Books You've Always Meant to Read, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster for Statewide Library Project shows a windblown woman and books by authors Scott, Dumas, Thackeray, Dickens, Austen, Tolstoi, Clemens, Eliot, and Hawthorne.
  • Citation: “In March Read the Books You’ve Always Meant to Read,” Chicago: Illinois Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Doctor, Lawyer, Merchant, Chief Agree, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster, designed by I.K., promotes reading activities. It shows a doctor, lawyer, merchant, and Native American in headdress.
  • Citation: “Doctor, Lawyer, Merchant, Chief Agree … These Books Are Too Good to Miss! / I.K.,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

For Greater Knowledge, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster shows a mortarboard and a pair of glasses superimposed over a globe. It promotes the use of libraries.
  • Citation: “For Greater Knowledge on More Subjects Use Your Library More Often,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

January - A Good Year of Reading Ahead, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster for Statewide WPA Library Project, Illinois, shows a child pulling a sled full of books toward a house.
  • Citation: “January – A Good Year of Reading Ahead / Hazlett,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Free Neighborhood Classes for Adults, WPA Poster, 1937

  • This poster from The Adult Education Program of the Chicago Board of Education announces free education classes for adults. Classes in reading, writing, arithmetic, art, music, psychology, language, and social studies are advertised. It shows a man wearing a suit and reading.
  • Citation: “Free Neighborhood Classes for Adults: Enroll Now: Classes in Reading – Writing – Arithmetic – Also Art – Music – Psychology – Language – Social Studies,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1937, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Hull-House Community Workshop, WPA Poster, 1938

  • This poster announces arts classes at Hull House, showing a budding plant, a sculpture of a bird, and an artist's palette. It promotes free classes in painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, and poster art for adults and children.
  • Citation: “Hull-House Community Workshop: Register Now: Free Classes in Painting, Sculpture, Pottery, Weaving, Poster Art / Beard,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1938, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Herrin School Photograph, 1939

  • Photograph of a school in Herrin, Illinois taken by Arthur Rothstein in January 1939. This image is part of the Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, a government initiative to make a visual record of American life between 1935 and 1944.
  • Citation: Rothstein, Arthur. School, Herrin, Illiniois. January 1939. Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/.

Colp School Photograph, 1939

  • Photograph depicting a school in Colp, Illinois for African Americans by Arthur Rothstein in January 1939.
  • This image is part of the Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, a government initiative to make a visual record of American life between 1935 and 1944.
  • Citation: Rothstein, Arthur. Negro School, Colp, Illinois. January 1939. Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/.

What of Teaching? WPA Poster, 1940

  • This poster announces the Illinois State Teachers Colleges exhibit at the 1940 Illinois State Fair in Springfield on August 17-25. It depicts a portion of a temple superimposed on the state of Illinois.
  • Citation: “What of Teaching?: Illinois State Teachers Colleges Exhibit,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

For Greater Knowledge, WPA Poster, 1940

  • Designed by V. Donaghue, this poster promotes library use and shows a man in a pose based on Rodin's "Thinker."
  • Citation: “For Greater Knowledge on More Subjects Use Your Library Often! / V. Donaghue,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Wee Willie Winkie, WPA Poster, 1940

  • This poster promotes the use of libraries by children, It shows a child in pajamas and slippers running through a village at night.
  • Citation: “Wee Willie Winkie Runs Through the Town … to Count the Many Children Reading Library Books / Cleo Sara,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Art Classes for Children, WPA Posters, 1940 1/ 2

  1. This poster announces the availability of children's art classes and shows a drawing of a child's face.
  2. This poster, by Albert M. Bender, also promotes children's art classes. It depicts a boy and girl painting on easels.
  • Citation: “Art Classes for Children,” Chicago: Illinois Art Project, 1940, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

Jobs - Get the Facts About Occupations, WPA Poster, 1941

  • This poster for the National Youth Administration (NYA) of Illinois promotes free job training classes. It shows a young woman holding books and a young man holding machine parts, with factories and a city skyline below.
  • Citation: “Jobs – Get the Facts About Occupations – Free Classes for Young Men and Women 16 to 25 Yrs. – National Youth Administration of Illinois / Dusek,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1941, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/.

World War II

Communication from Hannah A. Woods of the Illinois Association of Colored Women, 6 August 1942

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Illinois at War, 1941-1945. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1994. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Defense News from Illinois State Council of Defense, City Children and Farm Work, 22 February 1943

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Illinois at War, 1941-1945. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1994. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.