The influence of progressivism on the development of the State Normal College at Ohio University, 1902-1920

The study examines how the ideas of Progressivism manifested themselves in the development of progressive education. Progressivism in education was adopted by key central administrative figures and these administrators reflected the manner in which future teachers were educated in the State Normal College at Ohio University from 1902-1920. The study focuses on the roles of key administrators in bringing about changes in curriculum and instruction and in reshaping the mission of teacher education.; The study used primary sources such as Catalogues of Ohio University and Circulars of information, Ohio University Bulletins, and biographical files. The study also reviewed secondary sources such as literature on Progressivism, educational history, and teacher education. The study included an exposition and discussion of the historical influences that contributed to the rise of Progressivism, the development of teacher education at Ohio University before the state normal college was founded, and the developments in the state normal college from 1902-1920. The study also provided an analysis of the process of change in teacher education at Ohio University from its beginning as a normal department to its development into a state normal college within the context of the progressive influence.; Findings of the study indicate that Progressivism influenced the development of the state normal college. The study reveals that progressive characteristics such as experiential education, pedagogy based on psychology, concern for community life and design of instruction to meet the needs of different social classes, and social utility and improvement were reflected in the curricula. Findings also indicate that key central administrative figures such as Alston Ellis, Henry Graham Williams, and John Jacob Richeson embraced the philosophy of Progressivism and reshaped the manner in which future teachers were educated in the State Normal College at Ohio University, 1902-1920.