One of the most influential leaders of education reform was Horace Mann (at left) Mann knew the importance of educating children at an early age so he pushed for reform. In 1837, Mann became the first secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. He doubled the money spent on schools and set up programs for teachers. Another leader was William H. McGuffey. He was a preacher and teacher from Ohio who wrote grade-school reading books. By 1879, 60 million copies had been sold. These books contained moral lessons, cultural values, love of country, reading,writing, and arithmetic sections.

Major Leaders in Education Reform

Leaders of Education Reform