Indian Education In Colonial Virginia Summary

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After reading three articles pertaining to education in colonial Virginia. I realized that our education system has changed drastically. One thing that is obvious is the desire for education has always been there. Sometimes the means or tactics didn’t always produce quality education. However, the intent was always present and the desire was always of good intent. The article “Indian Education and Missions in Colonial Virginia” by W. Stitt Robinson, Jr. focuses on native American education. This article gives great insight into trying to educate the Indians. Unfortunately, a lot of times the motive of teaching was to enforce Christian morals and improve relations. Now on the surface improving relations doesn’t sound bad, but the motive was …show more content…

155). This quote may be historically accurate, but the author fails to mention that most people would not be willing to give up their children. Especially not to be forced to learn a religion and a way of life very contrary to their own. The Indians are not pets in need of being house broken. I think the author could have included a perspective from the native Americans as to why the settler’s tactics did not work. Whereas, the other article “The State of Education in Colonial Virginia” By Robert J. Vejnar, III. mentions the educating of the natives. Mainly the focus is attempts made to educate the settler’s children. This article has the advantage of written record. Which also makes it a more complete and enjoyable read. As a result, the article is able to share multiple methods tried to educate their young. Here is a quote that lends to this …show more content…

I am a Christian and I don’t disagree with the author. But, whenever you are making your case for your side. One should always present the opposing argument. This article fails to do this. It actually makes a lot of statement like this: “In the light of our present day educational systems the idea of Church controlled education may appear to some as inefficient. However, the pioneering done in Virginia under the direction of the Established Church serve4 as a good example for the American educational ideal” (Duffy, 1946). That being said this thesis was well written and gives a great glimpse into colonial schools. It also illustrates how the ideas from England came to the new world, and walks you through the changing of these ideas into something new. The new ideas were not completely original. But, a combination of English and colonial ideology. In conclusion, all three articles did a good job of educating the reader on the history of Virginia’s education. Even though some of the writing seemed bias. The reader is still able to walk away with a good sense of what schools were like for kids and how they came about. They also painted a picture of the strong desire to teach all the young. The only element missing, that I would have liked to read about was education for blacks during colonial

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