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By George Chandler,
Author of Practical Civics and Civics for the State of
Washington
and
John L. Cherny, State
Inspector of Schools, Department of Public Instruction Des
Moines
1920
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Chapter VII
Education
Origin. The Ordinance of 1787 by which the Northwest
Territory was organized, declared that “Religion, Morality and
Knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of
mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be
encouraged.” When Iowa became a separate territory in 1838, the
territorial legislature took immediate steps to organize a system of
public schools, but owing to lack of means for support, the system
was not established on a working basis until about ten years after
the state was admitted into the Union.
In the early years
all school were conducted as private enterprises, the teachers
obtaining their support from tuition charge the pupils. These
schools gradually gave way to public schools as the state became
more densely populated, and the development of her resources made
the support of public schools possible. This system has been
developed from small beginnings, until it has become one of the best
in the country.
Educational
Opportunities.
The people of Iowa have provided almost unlimited opportunities for
those who wish to continue their education beyond the requirements
of the compulsory attendance law. After the course of study for the
first eight years, or common school course, as it is called, is
complete, any pupil of school age in the state may pursue an
additional four-year high school course. If the school district in
which he lives will be required to pay the tuition not to exceed
three dollars and fifty cents a month. After completing a high
school course, any student in Iowa may secure a college or
university education practically free of cost at the State Teachers’
College, the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, or the State
University of Iowa…
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