<P> Common schools typically taught "the three Rs" (reading, (w) riting, and (a) rithmetic), history, geography, and math . The McGuffey Reader was the favorite schoolroom text in the 19th century, surpassing influence of Noah Webster's blue - backed speller . A strong emphasis on spiritual and moral lessons mixed into the text's lessons . There was wide variation in regard to grading (from 0 - 100 grading to no grades at all), but end - of - the - year recitations were a common way that parents were informed about what their children were learning . </P> <P> The common school intention would equip every child with moral instruction and "equalize the conditions of men ." The emphasis on morality in the classroom remained a strong element of education . As the fervor of the Second Great Awakening declined, the instruments of teaching morality changed from an overtly Biblical to an attempt at a neutral approach . Implementing the philosophy of phrenology, moral instruction became a scientific approach and rejected the old dogmatic method of imparting moral instruction . </P> <P> Although common schools were designed by Horace Mann to be nonsectarian, there were several fierce battles, most notably in New York City and Philadelphia, where Roman Catholic immigrants and Native Americans objected to the use of the King James Version of the Bible . Tensions were high in cities where immigrant population was high . In 1844, The Philadelphia Nativist riots (Bible Riots) began as a result of tensions between nativist and immigrants, due in part to a rumor where Catholic immigrants would remove Protestant Bibles from classroom curriculum . Even without Bible readings, most common schools taught children the general Protestant values (e.g., work ethic) of nineteenth - century America . </P> <P> The common school era is viewed by many education scholars to have ended around 1900 . In the early twentieth century, schools generally became more regional (as opposed to local), and control of schools moved away from elected school boards, and towards professional control . Because common schools were not special - purpose districts, voters often decided in called elections to join independent or unified school districts . </P>

When did the common school movement become national