On May 20, 1857, the Normal School Act is authorized by Governor James Pollock, who coincidentally died in Lock Haven. This Act divided the State of Pennsylvania into twelve Normal School Districts, a Normal School being a preparation school for teachers. The Normal School Act reflected a change in attitude toward education in Pennsylvania and laid the groundwork for what is now the State System of Higher Education.
Photograph property of LHUP Archive. Praeco, 1945, p. 35.
These were the days! In the provisions of the Normal School Act of 1857, tuition was to be no more than two dollars per month!
Photograph property of LHUP Archive. Praeco, 1932, p. 157.
Statistics compiled by the state of Pennylvania indicated that 14% of teachers in the eighth district were incompetent and 40% were only retained because there was no one else to to the job. This put even more pressure on Pennsylvania officials to develop a normal school system.
On May 20, 1857, the Normal School Act is authorized by Governor James Pollock, who coincidentally died in Lock Haven. This Act divided the State of Pennsylvania into twelve Normal School Districts, a Normal School being a preparation school for teachers. The Normal School Act reflected a change in attitude toward education in Pennsylvania and laid the groundwork for what is now the State System of Higher Education.
These were the days! In the provisions of the Normal School Act of 1857, tuition was to be no more than two dollars per month! In recent months in 2004, two dollars can barely purchase a gallon of gasoline!
In 1857, the United States moved closer to a war that pitted American against American. The decision on the Dred Scott case brought about a declaration by the Supreme Court that refused African American slaves and free slaves their natural right of becoming protected citizens of the United States. Infuriating abolitionists, some say this decision was a catalyst for the Civil War.
