Common School Movement: A reform movement during the 19th century that advocated for free public education accessible to all children regardless of their background.
Horace Mann: Often called 'the father of American public education,' Horace Mann was an influential educational reformer who fought for improved teacher training, curriculum standardization, and increased funding for schools.
Land Grant Colleges: Higher education institutions established through federal land grants under the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, which aimed to provide practical education in agriculture, engineering, and other fields.