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Early Reform Activities

Education was important to Jonathan. He paid for school by working as a teacher part of the school year. After graduating from Middlebury College, Jonathan found work as a teacher in Plattsburgh, New York. It was here that Jonathan began his lifelong reform work. He saw that many children could not read or write. He published information in the local newspaper about the local schools. He also called attention to the state of American education in general.

To improve education, Jonathan organized a school convention. He presented motions for blackboards in every classroom, standardized textbooks, and regular reports on student progress.

Jonathan's endorsement of education would continue with his own family. Blanchard made sure that all his children received an extensive education. The state of their schoolwork was a frequent topic in his letters home. 

       

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Early Reform Activities