The Constitution And The Early American Education System

The United States Constitution, the oldest written constitution, was created in 1787. The literacy rate in the United States in the 18th century is not clear, but in 1870, 20% of the adult population was illiterate, with an illiteracy rate of 80% among the black population. By 1875, the US literacy rate was approximately 80%, and by 1900, the situation had improved, but 44% of black people remained illiterate. In 1979, the illiteracy rate was less than 1% of people 14 years old and over, and in 1982, the Census Bureau reported a literacy rate of 86%.

Explore related products

Early American History (Daily Literacy Activities series)

$29.29 $29.29

Rethinking Early Literacies (Changing Images of Early Childhood)

$25.12 $51.99

American Colonies: The Settling of North America, Vol. 1

$13.28 $22

Early Childhood Literacy: The National Early Literacy Panel and Beyond

$27.22 $29.72

American Sign Language and Early Literacy: A Model Parent-Child Program

$55

Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers

$19.93 $27.95

Literacy rates in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries

However, it is important to note that there were regional and demographic variations in literacy rates. For example, literacy rates in New England and the mid-Atlantic were higher than in the South, and city dwellers were more literate than those in rural areas. Additionally, men, particularly those in urban areas or from higher social classes, were more likely to be literate than women. In the Middle and Southern Colonies, formal education for women was limited, and many remained illiterate.

In the last half of the 19th century, the proportion of young people enrolled in school remained relatively low, with roughly half of all 5- to 19-year-olds enrolled in school. Rates for males and females were similar, but rates for black students were much lower than for white students. This was due in part to the history of slavery in the United States, as slave owners often limited the education of enslaved people, including restricting literacy. By 1875, the overall US literacy rate was approximately 80%, but 44% of black Americans remained illiterate by 1900.

The late 19th century and early 20th century saw a decline in birth rates, which stabilised in the 1930s before rising dramatically after World War II. During this time, the proportion of young people enrolled in school continued to be relatively low, with fluctuations in enrollment rates. The beginning of the 20th century brought sustained increases in enrollment rates for both white and minority students. By 1940, the overall enrollment rate for 5- to 19-year-olds had risen to 75%.

Education access for enslaved people

In the history of slavery in the United States, slave owners almost always made efforts to limit the education of enslaved people, including curtailing literacy. Educating enslaved people was seen as disruptive to the economic model of the time, as it threatened to undermine the strict control that slaveholders exerted over their workforce. Slave owners and lawmakers in slave states feared that literacy among enslaved people could lead to the spread of abolitionist ideas, and even slave rebellion.

Consequently, lawmakers in slave states such as Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana established various anti-literacy laws that criminalized teaching or attempting to teach an enslaved person to read or write. For instance, in 1670, South Carolina passed laws prohibiting the teaching of enslaved people to write. The legislation was a response to growing fears among plantation owners about the spread of abolitionist materials and other writings that might encourage enslaved people to think about freedom. The punishment in North Carolina was 39 lashes or imprisonment for a person of color who taught an enslaved person to read or write.

Despite these restrictions, some enslaved people gained literacy skills through clandestine efforts. Some free African Americans, sympathetic whites, and informal schools operated furtively to educate enslaved people. Additionally, enslaved people used storytelling, music, and crafts to pass along cultural traditions and other information. In Northern states like New England, African Americans sometimes had access to formal schooling, and some women acquired basic literacy through home instruction or religious communities.

By 1900, the situation had improved, but 44% of black people in the United States remained illiterate, compared to 20% of the overall population in 1870. The improvements in literacy rates in the early 20th century were due to younger individuals who grew up after the Civil War and had some opportunities to obtain a basic education.

Education access for poor whites

In the 18th century, education access for poor whites in the Thirteen Colonies was limited. Public school systems only existed in New England, and even there, boys were favored over girls. In the South, there were few schools of any kind until the Revolutionary Era. Wealthy children studied with private tutors, while middle-class children might learn to read from literate family members. Many poor and middle-class white children, as well as virtually all Black children, did not receive any formal education.

The Puritans of New England emphasized literacy for religious reasons, resulting in a relatively high literacy rate of 70% of men in the Thirteen Colonies, compared to 40% in Britain and 29% in France. However, this emphasis on literacy did not extend to the South, where literacy rates were significantly lower.

During the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War, African Americans in the former slave-holding states sought education as a path to equality, independence, and prosperity. They faced significant challenges, including a shortage of qualified teachers and resistance from whites who were unwilling to sell or rent property for use as schools. Despite these obstacles, African Americans, with the support of benevolent organizations and missionaries, established schools and worked to educate both children and adults.

Some missionaries felt it was important to educate the children of poor whites as well, seeing them as a counterweight to the attitudes of the former slave-owning class. However, there is limited specific information available regarding the access to education for poor whites during this period. It is likely that education access for poor whites continued to be limited, especially in the South, where public schools were not typically funded by state governments.

Explore related products

An Observation Survey of Early Literacy Achievement, Fourth Edition

$60.7

Starting Strong: Evidence-Based Early Literacy Practices

$20.63 $39.99

101 Great American Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)

$4 $3

Queequeg's Coffin: Indigenous Literacies and Early American Literature

$127.95

Early Native Literacies in New England: A Documentary and Critical Anthology (Native Americans of the Northeast)

$36.95

Best Practices in Early Literacy Instruction

$46 $47

Gender disparities in literacy

The United States Constitution, the oldest written national constitution, was penned in 1787. While there are no precise indicators of literacy rates from this period, we can draw inferences from subsequent surveys and historical data.

The late 19th century and early 20th century witnessed high illiteracy rates, with 20% of the entire adult population being illiterate in 1870. By 1900, the situation improved marginally, but 44% of black people and 4% overall remained illiterate. The historical context of slavery and racial inequality significantly influenced literacy rates, with slave owners actively limiting the education of enslaved people. This dynamic resulted in a stark gap in literacy rates between white and black adults, which gradually narrowed throughout the 20th century.

The definition and assessment of literacy have evolved over time. Current definitions emphasize the ability to understand and engage with written texts to participate fully in society and develop one's potential. Earlier surveys focused primarily on fundamental reading and writing skills, while modern assessments consider functional literacy, which addresses an individual's ability to function in a modern society.

Literacy rates by race (including children)

Literacy rates in the United States have historically been influenced by factors such as race, gender, and social class. During the colonial era, enslaved people were denied access to education, and slave owners actively worked to prevent them from learning to read or write. In contrast, poor whites had limited access to schooling, and religious institutions became a central aspect of literacy education for both men and women.

In the 1700s, the literacy rate in colonial America witnessed an exponential increase. By 1760, it is estimated that approximately 85% of New England's male population was literate, while the rate for women was about 48% (slightly lower in the South). These rates were even higher in the Williamsburg area in 1759, with 94% for white males and 54% for white females. Literacy was encouraged in Puritan society to enable the reading of Scriptures, and it facilitated effective communication with Great Britain's government.

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, illiteracy was prevalent in the United States. In 1870, 20% of the adult population was illiterate, and 80% of the black population lacked basic reading and writing skills. By 1900, the situation improved marginally, but 44% of blacks remained illiterate. The gap in illiteracy between white and black adults narrowed over the 20th century, and by 1979, the rates were roughly equal.

In the early 20th century, enrollment rates for 5- to 19-year-olds increased significantly. From 51% in 1900, the overall enrollment rate rose to 75% in 1940, and by the early 1970s, it reached about 90%. The gap between white and black enrollment rates also decreased during this period. By 1991, the enrollment rate for 5- to 19-year-olds was 93% across races and genders.

While historical data on literacy rates by race, including children, is limited, the available information suggests that racial disparities in literacy and education have persisted over time. Despite improvements, the differences in educational attainment between white and black populations remained evident even in the late 20th century. In 1991, about 70% of black males and 69% of black females had completed high school, compared to 80% for their white counterparts.

Frequently asked questions