In the 17th and 18th centuries, education was primarily provided through small, local schools or by religious institutions. These schools focused on teaching basic skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as other subjects such as history, geography, grammar, and rhetoric. Over time, reformers like Horace Mann in the 19th century promoted the idea of free public education for all children, resulting in the establishment of the common school movement, setting the foundation for the public school system we know today.
As the demand for public education grew, so did the demand for trained educators. In the early years, most teachers had little formal training and were often only slightly more educated than their students. To address this issue, Normal Schools were established and were designed to provide further training for teachers. These schools emphasized both subject knowledge and teaching practices, creating more uniform and standardized teaching methods throughout the country. This was a major turning point in professionalizing the field of education and promoting more effective instructional practices in school.
Figure 1. Florence State Normal School, one of the first state-supported normal schools, now the University of North Alabama, Florence.
Over time, Normal Schools transformed into the modern colleges and schools we see today, thus creating more occupations and providing more job opportunities in the education field. As the roles of teachers became more complex, these institutions expanded their curricula and eventually evolved into four-year degree-granting colleges.
By the early 20th century, many of these schools transitioned into state colleges and universities, offering bachelor’s and advanced degrees in education. This evolution reflected a broader recognition that teaching required not only subject expertise but also a deep understanding of child development, learning theory, and instructional methods.
Today, teacher education programs are offered at most universities and often include student teaching experiences, certification exams, and ongoing professional development to ensure educators are well-prepared for the classroom.