About This Lesson
This lesson will provide students the opportunity to examine Thomas Jefferson’s proposed education reforms and analyze them in light of the serious issues which were faced by the American founders. It will also look at the important relationship between education and good government, and will allow students the opportunity to think critically about the purpose of education in the American republic in particular. This is mainly a philosophical or “thought-provoking” lesson that allows students to pull together information from several different time periods and evaluate what they learn in light of both the historical context and their own views (It would be ideal for use after AP exams are over, for example, at a time when we want students to think critically about history and teachers also may have more flexibility to pursue topics of interest).
