David B. Tyack's The One Best System

America’s educational institutions continue to evolve in order to provide “the one best system” that will benefit students in their present and future educational endeavors. The One Best System written by David B. Tyack, interprets the challenges and criticisms of America’s beginning formal education institutions as well as discusses how the solutions were used to perpetuate existing power structures and social classes to shape education entirely. As the idea of educating America’s children began to spread, schools were viewed as a community due to the tightly knit groups that were formed among individuals. Community members believed that educational institutions were an opportunity for social amusement as they provided social contact with

The text states, “The superintendent did have enormous power of initiative in virtually all matters concerning the schools: the appointment of staff, the selection of textbooks, plans and contracts for buildings, the determination of the curriculum, and normal decisions about everyday running of the schools” (159). When examining the formal education of our current educational institutions, it is evident that the power structure lies with superintendents, school boards and principals who share expectations on how classrooms should be run as well as decision making for the betterment of the institution and students. Overall, formal education has evolved and will continue to evolve as educators search for their perception of the “one best system” for their students. Throughout the history of education, power structure and social class matters have influenced how educators implement regulations, interact with community members and fellow educators, but most importantly, the education of students so that they may be instilled with the skills and confidence to further themselves as