The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education system similar to ancient Athens. It was voluntary and parents paid tutors or schools directly. There was very little government interference, so a vibrant education free market of tutors, schools, and apprenticeships developed.
One aspect of Roman society that compromised their education system was that Roman parents wanted their children to learn knowledge that only Greek teachers could provide. However, most Greeks in Rome at the time were slaves.
As a result, the Greek teachers could not personally or financially benefit by their work. Often their morale was low and they were subject to harsh discipline. Unlike the free teachers in ancient Athens, Greek slave-teachers in Rome had little incentive to innovate or continually improve their skills. As a result, the quality of education stagnated.
Also, a majority of the Roman population was slaves, both from Greece and other areas Rome had conquered. Naturally, these slaves had no rights and no control over their children's education.
Things got worse after Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. and Emperor Augustus took power. The quasi-democratic Republic turned into the dictatorial Roman Empire and was ruled by a succession of Emperors. To secure their power, each succeeding Emperor then tightened their grip on education. They increasingly regulated education, suppressed teachers who spoke against the Emperor, and eventually required teachers of Greek and Latin rhetoric to be licensed and paid by the State. The quality of education in Rome then grew progressively worse.
The parallels with the history of education in America are striking. Here too, when our education system was voluntary and parents paid teachers and schools directly, we had a high-quality, constantly improving education system. After state governments created compulsory public schools, education in America has been going down-hill ever since.
Joel Turtel is an education policy analyst, and author of "Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie To Parents and Betray Our Children." Contact Information: Website: http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com, Email: lbooksusa@aol.com, Phone: 718-447-7348. Article Copyrighted © 2005 by Joel Turtel. NOTE: You may post this Article on another website only if you set up a hyperlink to Joel Turtel's email address and website URL, http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com.
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
As a parent you will be asked to assist with... Read More
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More
At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
My wife and I have been working on a video... Read More
Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More
They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
A great many parents are concerned that the electronic games... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
Let's face it.The job market is getting tougher every day.Computerization... Read More
If you visit search engines you can find several resources... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating... Read More
Not Letting Them Think.We all implicitly know that anything questioning... Read More
Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More
We all know that using cloth nappies is best for... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Discipline is a necessary part of parenting yet it makes... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
When you're a parent it's a difficult decision to know... Read More
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
1. Create... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More
It is hard to believe that summer is coming to... Read More
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
Parenting |