In celebration of national literacy day, today we will explore the literacy rates of colonial america and how they affected the men of the maryland line. According to the latest international adult literacy survey ials, between 19% and 23% of american adults performed at the top levels. According to the national assessment of adult literacy completed most recently in 2003, and before that, in 1992, 14 percent of adult americans demonstrated a below basic literacy level in 2003, and. Perhaps the seeds of liberty were planted in the 1735 historic courtroom battle for the freedom of the press. The first of these books, jon butlers becoming america. Education in colonial america foundation for economic education. Childrens books, totallearning materials at home 20052012, childrens books, poorest 20% learning materials at home 20052012, childrens books, richest 20%. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The american colonies what was life like for european settlers in the new world. The current literacy rate isnt any better than it was 10 years ago. The american language program was original called boston home language. Philadelphia, which by 1776 had become second only to london as the chief city in the british. An education system which dictates 9 years of compulsory schooling for every child is in place. Dec 08, 2019 eventually, the female literacy rate caught up to the male literacy rate and by 1810, nearly all women in new england were literate. Alan taylors american colonies seems like a benign title in what is or was supposed to be penguin books first volume of the publishers history of the united states of america, given the content of this well researched, well documented and well referenced book. Youth 1524 years literacy rate % 20082012, male youth 1524 years literacy rate % 20082012, female number per 100 population 2012, mobile phones. Gallman, changes in the level of literacy in a new community of early america, journal of economic history 48, no. Schooling, education, and literacy, in colonial america \ town school at dedham massachusetts, built in 1648 map of colonial educational institutions the hornbook basic facts about the hornbook. More than 30 million adults in the united states cannot read, write, or do basic math above a thirdgrade level. In the 18th century, the puritan emphasis on literacy largely influenced the significantly higher literacy rate 70 percent of men of the thirteen colonies, mainly new england, in comparison to britain 40 percent of men and france 29 percent of men. Jennifer monaghan brings to vibrant life the process of learning to read and write in colonial america.
In early modern germany, also, the lowest rates of schooling were found in areas of dispersed settlement. This book would be most useful to children interested in history who enjoy reading nonfiction for pleasure or to teachers looking for supplemental materials and projects to add to a. A the high literacy rates in new england colonies that enabled the settlers to read books and newspapers b the development of plantations that encouraged more europeans to migrate to america for gainful employment c the arrival of the 1 preacher, george whitefield who toured american colonies giving sermons. Or maybe the french and indian war did it, when colonists. Education in the middle colonies education in the southern colonies. Illiteracy rate hasnt changed in 10 years huffpost. Literacy was higher in new england and the midatlantic colonies than in the south. Eventually, the female literacy rate caught up to the male literacy rate and by 1810, nearly all women in new england were literate. What was the literacy level of new world african slaves. Published in cambridge, massachusetts in 1640 by stephen daye, the bay psalm book was a collection of holy songs translated from the old testaments hebrew into english. Learning to read and write in colonial america university. It showed that in 17711773 the ratio of home education as compared to school education was. Education in colonial america foundation for economic.
This relatively low level of literacy as at the 1930s, combined with the fact that the atlantic slave trades kicked off since the 1600s, makes it unlikely that literacy was a major. Learning to read and write, the only survey of its subject, is an essential text for historians of literacy, of gender, and of early america. Given the smaller demand, the british colonies could have more picky in chosing their slaves, and muslims slaves may have been more likely to be. A conversational history of the american colonies, including factual information, stories, games, activities, and recipes. National assessment of adult literacy naal 120 years of. Over the next century, the english established colonies.
This conversion is a task for proportional reasoningone of my favorite tools for finding meaning in the numbers that surround us. The american colonies free reading passages and literacy. Literacy rates from this period is quite difficult for historians to gauge, given the very small numbers of libraries and personal written materials like diaries, journals, and wills. Proliteracy children whose parents have low literacy levels have a 72. A literacy rate of 48% for native born is implied from the 71% literacy of german immigrants, the 55% total colonial literacy bias adjusted, and an immigrant share in the population of 30% tully, 1972, p. How did american colonies function before the revolutionary war.
National assessment of adult literacy naal 120 years. In pennsylvania, a compulsory education law was passed in 1683, but it was never strictly enforced. But while about half the colonists could read, their appetite for books rarely went beyond the bible, the book of common prayer, an almanac, and a volume of shakespeares plays. Much higher than todays literacy rates in the 5080% rate depending on if you include functional illiteracy or just complete illiteracy. Sep 03, 2019 when thomas paine published common sense in 1776, the literacy rate in the american colonies was around 15 percent, yet there were more copies printed and sold of the revolutionary tract. However, to give it even more meaning, i like to convert it to an equivalent number today. Lending libraries were started as a way to improve americas education. With more things available, more people could start reading, and the literacy rate in the west went up. Ranging throughout the colonies from new hampshire to georgia, she examines the instruction of girls and boys, native americans and enslaved africans, the privileged and the poor, revealing the. Free speech combined with less regulation resulted in many more printing presses and publication houses in both england and the american colonies, and publication of books, newspapers, and pamphlets started going up. Excerpts are taken from chapter 1 of 120 years of american education. The free education system established in 1945, is a result of the initiative of c. Explore life in the prerevolutionary era of north america.
Vol 24, the encyclopedia americana corporation, 1919. The updated lending libraries allowed books taken and read on the. Its youth literacy rate stands at 98%, computer literacy rate at 35%, and primary school enrollment rate at over 99%. In 1607, jamestown was founded by the virginia company. George fishers 1748 educational book, the instructor. For example, the literacy rate in the gold coast was 0. The revolution before 1776 harvard university press, 320 pp. Literacy rates were highest in the country where industry was slower and communities were closer to enable education and the borrowing of books. In the middle colonies there was even less government intervention. This is a private program for students ages 1280 years old where the student stays in the home of their teacher for intensive english language instruction.
There are five alleged causes for the literacy dilemma in the united states. In addition to the revolutionary war, a literary revolution swept across the american colonies and europe in the 18th century. Transcending the usual anglocentric version of our colonial past, he recovers the importance of native american tribes, african slaves, and the rival empires of france, spain, the netherlands, and even russia in the colonization of north america. Jul 07, 2017 free speech combined with less regulation resulted in many more printing presses and publication houses in both england and the american colonies, and publication of books, newspapers, and pamphlets started going up. Literacy rates during the 18th century were quite good comparatively. Apr 06, 2015 the american colonies mostly developed with dispersed individual farms. This was especially true of religious sects, such as the puritans, who placed significant emphasis on.
The new england quarterly learning to read and write in colonial america is a very important book. In 1620, the mayflower landed at plymouth, massachusetts. A history of literacy initiatives in the united states and. Only about onethird of english men could read, compared with about half of the men in the colonies were able to. Impact of the slave trade on literacy in west africa.
Notably, literacy rates were higher in the american colonies than in europe. Compared to englands literacy rate, that in the colonies was quite high. Sep 08, 2017 in addition to the revolutionary war, a literary revolution swept across the american colonies and europe in the 18th century. What was integral to the spread of enlightenment from europe.
Slave accounts of the literacy process, 18301865, phylon 44, no. A statistical portrait edited by tom snyder, national center for education statistics, 1993. Literacy actually ran highest in cities and towns, not in the country. History of american education, online history of american. It isnt new, but its impacts upon our kids, our economy, and our society are farreaching and expanding.
As printed books became more common, literacy rates began to rise. Early americans were uncommonly interested in the power of the printed word, and therefore in literacy. The american colonies mostly developed with dispersed individual farms. When thomas paine published common sense in 1776, the literacy rate in the american colonies was around 15 percent, yet there were more copies printed and sold of the revolutionary tract. Sep 01, 2011 in 1776, one book, written in complex language, sold over 120,000 copies in colonial america. A statistical portrait edited by tom snyder, national center for education statistics, 1993 overview.
Reading rates among the american colonies were higher than in europe. Wasawaowin had the highest literacy rate at 2% which was relatively low. With this volume, alan taylor challenges the traditional story of colonial history by examining the many cultures that helped make america. What was integral to the spread of enlightenment from europe to america. Because the printers were not trained typographers, the book is rife with typos, plagued with spacing errors, and crudely laid. Displaying all 14 texts puritan laws and character henry william elson. Many of the titles also explore the experiences and contributions of native americans and women in colonial life. The first book published in what is now the usa was a puritan hymnal called the bay psalm book.
A history of literacy initiatives in the united states and the role of the american literacy council. Schooling, education, and literacy, in colonial america \ town school at dedham massachusetts, built in 1648. What was integral to the spread of enlightenment from. How did compliant colonials with strong ties to europe get the notion to become an independent nation. Explorations in economic history 24, 6376 1987 colonial immigrant literacy. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Schooling, education, and literacy in colonial america. By 1750 nearly 2 million europeans lived in the american colonies. Literacy was also higher in cities than in more rural areas.
The number of people who can not read continues to go up, largely because of the flow of millions of spanishspeaking people who flow across the southern borders from. Broad in scope and deep in research, it will inspire both within and beyond these fields. Jun 15, 2011 literacy was higher in new england and the midatlantic colonies than in the south. What were reading literacy rates in 19th century america. The 10 best books about early colonial history of 2020. There were many different levels of literacy in society.
This section, historical data, presents information from 186970the date of the first office of education reportto the late 1970s on. In 1776, one book, written in complex language, sold over 120,000 copies in colonial america. In new england the literacy rate was 60% between 16501670, 85% between 1758 1762, and 90% between 1787 1795. What was the average literacy rate in the colonies. Literacy rates among the 18th century colonist were answers. Recommended by the common core state standards for english language arts and literacy as an exemplary informational text.
According to the national assessment of adult literacy completed most recently in 2003, and before that, in 1992, 14 percent of adult americans demonstrated a below basic literacy level in 2003, and 29 percent exhibited a basic reading level. Initially, books were quite rare and expensive, until the invention of the printing press in the 15 th century. An economic analysis of pennsylvaniagerman evidence, 17271775 farley grubs economics department, university of delaware the literacy of over 23,000 immigrants is compared to the literacy of established american and european populations to assess the contribution of immigrants to the general superiority of. What was the average literacy rate in the colonies during. Nov 09, 20 the american us colonies had a much smaller demand for slaves than other parts fo the new world, and only around 10% or less of the african slaves went to british north american us colonies. The main reason why america achieved a nearuniversal literacy rate was because most of the children were being educated in schools rather than in homes. As printed books and manuscripts became more common in europe, the literacy rate began to rise. History of literacy, reading, illiteracy, the invention of. The books collected here detail the history of these and other early english colonists in america. A the high literacy rates in new england colonies that enabled the settlers to read books and newspapers b the development of plantations that encouraged more europeans to migrate to america for gainful employment c the arrival of the 1 preacher, george whitefield who. An experienced teacher of reading and writing and an awardwinning historian, e. The timeline of the history of literacy in america. Although many legal documents have been obtained, and the signa. By 1760, hundreds of african and african american slaves in the virginia piedmont appear to have had some rudimentary literacy.
The american us colonies had a much smaller demand for slaves than other parts fo the new world, and only around 10% or less of the african slaves went to british north american us colonies. This was especially true of religious sects, such as the puritans, who placed significant emphasis on private reading for religious enlightenment. Education in the thirteen colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries varied considerably. The radicalism of reading foundation for economic education. They were virginia, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new hampshire, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, north carolina, south carolina, and georgia. The timeline of the history of literacy in america preceden.