The progression of adult education in America is an interesting one. During the colonial period, apprentices were the primary form of adult education. In 1727 Ben Franklin founded one of the first adult education programs, and organizations in American History. This new organization was called the Junto. In the Junto, the course of study consisted of topics like politics, philosophy and a host of others that were felt to be of importance of the day. In 1731 Ben Franklin founded the first Public Library. At this new Library, the concept of borrowing books was introduced. Adults were admitted based on a system of fees and fines. The fees and fines allowed the Library to operate.
During the 1800’’s, another adult educational program was formed; the founder was a gentleman by the name of Josiah Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook’’s adult education program was men met and held debates, lectures and discussions. This form of education was called the Lyceum. The Lyceum grew in popularity to over three thousand Lyceums around the country until it dissolved in the late 1830’’s.
The 1900’’s saw a great boom in adult education. The Federal Government got involved in the educational process where starting in 1914 acts named the Smith acts provided funding for training in the areas of farming, home economics and vocation.
The depression of the 1930’’s saw the formation of the WPA. This was the government trained adults in an attempt to re-employ them. After WWII, the government formed the Veterans Administration where veterans were paid to go to school. This caused a tremendous growth spurt for American colleges and universities.
The manpower act of the 1960’’s provided funds for the unemployed in an attempt to train unemployed adults and make them marketable. This also opened the door for adult basic education programs, widely in use today.
Today, education in America is available to just about anyone. With the availability of grants, scholarships, and loans, just about any adult can attain a higher education. The sources for adult education are varied. There is the traditional college or university, public schools, proprietary schools and the federal government. Eventually, the Internet, via your home computer, will allow you to earn a degree or certificate without leaving your home. With the Internet, not only adult men and women can receive an unlimited wealth of information in the comfort of their own desk chairs, but children as well have a tremendous educational tool right at their fingertips. Hopefully, opening the door to a much better educated generation of tomorrow’’s adults!
Why did the American government try to train adults in the 1930’’s