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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2002
The first move toward a free public school system in New Jersey was
made in 1813, when friends of education tried to obtain $40,000 from the
State for a school fund. After three years' effort, the fund was started
with $15,000. Four years later the legislature authorized inhabitants of
townships to raise money for education of children unable to pay fees.
The State augmented its financial support in 1828 by allocating to education taxes from banks and insurance companies. In the same year, a convention of welfare associations at Trenton appointed a committee to
publicize the need for better schools. Nearly 12,000 children were reported devoid of education and one-fifth of the voters illiterate.
Although many citizens were moved by such findings, education was
still considered a luxury. It is related that the first school principal in
Newark was named primarily to curtail what the superintendent considered waste of fuel. Incidental to his duties as janitor, he was to supervise the course of study.
Clara Barton, later founder of the American Red Cross, was a pioneer
builder of the free school system in New Jersey during the middle of the
last century. Having obtained a teacher's certificate at the age of 15 in
her native Massachusetts, she offered her services without charge for three
months to aid the free school at Bordentown, a center of opposition to
"free schools for paupers." Her faith in the system was more than justified by the quick growth of the school, which had an enrollment of 600
pupils in its second year.
Spurred by organizations and individuals, the State gradually assumed
its mounting obligation. New Jersey's first high school was founded at
Newark in 1838, the third oldest in the country. In 1841 the State board
of education was given general supervision over education, and in 1855
the first State normal school was founded at Trenton. Finally, 16 years
later, the legislature passed a bill declaring all public schools free. To
education was allotted the proceeds of sales from State lands under water.
Shortly after 1870 a rapid expansion of high schools began in the northern and central counties. Much of the success of the movement was due to
the influence of President James McCosh of Princeton.
Since the Civil War, higher living standards for the wage earner have
fortified higher ambition for the schooling of his children. A ceaseless
demand has produced high schools in every town of importance, while
smaller neighboring districts have combined their resources to establish
high schools or have paid for tuition in nearby towns.
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