"The free common school system is the most American thing about America." -Adlai Stevenson

Free common schools were established early in American history, as a means of ensuring the survival and stability of the newly formed nation. It was imperative to many, that people have equal opportunities in a newly forming nation. This was the ideal used to provide free schooling to American youths, advocates Horace Mann. Horace Mann wanted schools to be properly maintained and run efficiently. Many things contribute to the schools' systems. Sadly, many battles and struggles arose while setting up public school form. One battle was protecting the Irish from slander in text books. The end result was great. It provided a strong backbone of moral and social norms to ensure the "Americanization" of the citizens of the United States. Americanization takes place in public schools. This is why our public schools previously known as common schools are the most American thing about America. American identity and history can be studied and further understood by studying the schools, texts, educators, and curriculum. We learn about the good and bad parts of our system. So that we together can decide what's wrong with Americanization taking place inside our schools; then decide how to remedy problems found. Changes made are the stepping stones in our growth as a nation. As individuals in schools grow, so too does America continues to develop. These developments are necessary because, "nothing is distributed evenly across the United States." (Harold Hodgkinson) As education persists, the differences among Americans can, and will subside. We will remain individuals but we will exist as cultural equals, Americans. We are learning about the inequalities that exist and making progress at changing them. One such change that is taking place is multicultural education in the classroom. This is proof Americans have accepted a need for cultural assimilation. Schools are successfully assimilating students into young citizens. America is being made stronger by the opportunities provided by public schools.