Copyright by Larry Joe Kelly 2002
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Copyright by Larry Joe Kelly 2002 Transitions in Texas: The Development of Secondary Science Curricula, 1886-1917 by Larry Joe Kelly, B.S., M.Ed. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin August, 2002 Dedication for Mary A. Kelly and Patsy R. McCoy ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study could not have been completed without the cooperation of many people. I would like to thank Dr. O.L. Davis, Jr., for his guidance and gracious assistance during the last four years, first as teacher and then as supervisor for this study. Also to Dr. Mary S. Black for being a true friend through problems, Dr. Sherry L. Field for being a friend with many caring words, Dr. Lisa S. Goldstein for teaching me the meaning of a caring curriculum, and Dr. Norvell Northcutt for his example of an exciting teacher, all for their kindness, encouragement, and assistance in serving on the committee. I would also like to thank the staff at the Center for American History for their help. Additionally, to Karon LeCompte for collaboration with research but also being a good friend, one to share worries and accomplishments. Particular acknowledgements go to my wife, Mary for her unwavering support, but especially for the last four years at The University of Texas at Austin. To my sister Patsy for her continued backing and belief in me. For Jeff and Greg, my two sons that have inspired by their example of dedication and strength to fulfill their dreams. Finally to my best friend, George Haynes, my mentor at Bowie Junior High School in Odessa, Texas, during my first teaching position. v Transitions in Texas: The Development of Secondary Science Curricula, 1886-1917 Publication No._____________ Larry Joe Kelly, PhD. The University of Texas at Austin, 2002 Supervisor: O. L. Davis, Jr. This dissertation reports an exploration of one statewide case in the remarkable expansion of the American public high school in the early twentieth century. Specifically, it focuses on the curricula of early twentieth century secondary school system of the state of Texas. In particular, its development was shepherded, from 1886-1917, by the University of Texas. The vehicle was the university’s program of affiliation with its approval of high schools in the state. Affiliation essentially was a system of accreditation of the state’s high schools. It contributed the first systematic effort to provide guidance for the academic programs, teachers, and facilities for the state’s rapidly developing high schools. A variety of social, political, and economic conditions affected the University’s vi affiliation system. These conditions external and internal to the state constituted the formative circumstances for the development of secondary curricula in Texas. Mathematics, history, English, and Latin were the primary affiliated subjects during the late 1800’s. Science offerings did not become affiliated subjects in the University of Texas affiliation program until the early 1900’s. This study focused on the development and inclusion of science offerings in the curricula of affiliated high schools. It probed the nature and extent of the science course offerings in the growing number of affiliated Texas high schools. Its findings identify among other matters, the science courses that were offered in affiliated Texas high schools, textbooks used, and laboratory facilities. The involvement of The University of Texas at Austin in establishing high school curricular standards, the reconfiguration of the school day, the redesign of the curricula, the inspection and affiliation process, all provided standards for improvements in school districts that lacked effective state governmental guidance and supervision. This endeavor by the university, assumed by the State Department of Public Education in 1917, clearly influenced the nature of the high schools of the state at the time and for the century to come. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES XI LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XII SECTION ONE 1 Chapter One: Introduction....................................................................................... 1 The University of Texas and the Affiliation Program........................... 4 The Affiliation Process in Texas........................................................... 4 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................ 9 Chapter Two: Methodology .................................................................................. 12 Primary and Secondary Sources.......................................................... 13 Evaluation of Sources.......................................................................... 16 SECTION TWO 20 Chapter Three: Historical Context for the American High School....................... 20 Latin Grammar Schools, Academies and High Schools .............................. 24 High Schools Extend Education System...................................................... 26 Chapter Four: Affiliation Programs in the United States...................................... 29 The University of Texas Begins the Affiliation Program ............................ 41 The University of Texas Affiliation Process................................................ 44 SECTION THREE 51 Chapter Five: Science Curriculum Development in American Education ........... 51 Science Development in the United States .................................................. 51 History of Science Education....................................................................... 54 History of Texas Secondary Schools ........................................................... 69 The University of Texas Begins Affiliation Program .................................. 72 viii The Sciences in Texas High Schools ........................................................... 74 Chapter Six: First Standards for Affiliation of Science Courses .......................... 82 First Standards for Affiliation of Science Courses, 1905............................. 82 Botany ................................................................................................. 83 Chemistry ............................................................................................ 85 Physics................................................................................................. 86 Zoology ............................................................................................... 90 Second Set of Standards for Affiliation of Science Courses, 1908.............. 91 Botany ................................................................................................. 92 Chemistry ............................................................................................ 95 Physics................................................................................................. 97 Third Set of Standards for Affiliation of Science......................................... 99 Courses, 1910-1913...................................................................................... 99 Biology.............................................................................................. 100 Chemistry .......................................................................................... 102 Physics............................................................................................... 108 Chapter Seven: Affiliated Science Courses ........................................................ 112 Affiliated Science Courses with the University of Texas .......................... 112 Science Curricula and Affiliated High Schools ......................................... 113 Teacher Qualifications ............................................................................... 119 Laboratory Requirements........................................................................... 125 Textbooks................................................................................................... 135 Chemistry .......................................................................................... 138 Physics............................................................................................... 139 Botany ............................................................................................... 141 Zoology ............................................................................................. 143 Actual Impact of Science Courses in High Schools................................... 146 ix Courses of Study ................................................................................................. 151 SECTON FOUR 154 Chapter Eight: Conclusion .................................................................................. 154 BIBLIOGRAPHY 164 Manuscript and Archival material.............................................................. 164 Austin, Texas.............................................................................................. 164 Newspapers ................................................................................................ 164 Government Publications ........................................................................... 164 Books.......................................................................................................... 166 Articles ....................................................................................................... 170 Unpublished Materials ..............................................................................