单选题
Perhaps it was his own lack of adequate schooling
that inspired Horace Mann to work so hard to accomplish the important reforms in
education. While he was still a boy, his father died, and he had to support his
family. Like most of the children in his town, he attended school two or three
months a year. Later, with the help of several teachers, he was able to study
law and become a member of the Massachusetts bar, but he never forgot those
early struggles. While serving in the Massachusetts
legislature, he signed a historic education bill that set up a state board of
education. Without regret, he gave up his successful legal practice to become
the first secretary of the board. There he exercised an enormous influence
during the critical period of reconstruction that brought into existence the
American graded elementary school as a substitute for the older district school
system. Under his leadership, the curriculum was restructured, the school year
was increased to a minimum of six months, and mandatory schooling was extended
to age sixteen. Other important reforms that came into existence under Mann's
guidance included the establishment of state normal schools for teacher
training. Considered quite {{U}}radical{{/U}} at the time, the
Massachusetts reforms later served as a model for the nation's educational
system. Mann was formally recognized as the father of public
education. During his lifetime, Horace Mann worked tirelessly
to extend educational opportunities to agrarian families and the children of
poor laborers. In one of his last speeches he summed up his philosophy of
education and life: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for
humanity."
单选题
Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A. The Father of American Public Education
B. Philosophy of Educational
C. Policies of Educational Institutions
D. Horace Mann and the Massachusetts State Board of Education