CMP Review 2024-11-07

November 7, 2024

In May 1892 a notice appeared in the Parents’ Review announcing that the new “Mothers’ Educational Course” (MEC) would begin next month. This program became an important element of the PNEU for many years, growing and evolving even as the PNEU itself evolved.

For example, when the Home Education Series was formalized as a set of five volumes in 1906, these books by Charlotte Mason became a staple of the course. Indeed, members were encouraged to read the volumes even if they could not commit to the broader set of readings required by the MEC.

With the publication of An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education in 1925, a new book by Charlotte Mason was added to the canon. How would this be handled by the reading course?

An announcement in the 1926 Parents’ Review revealed the answer. Not only did it touch on the relationship of “volume 6” to the Home Education Series, but it also revealed a new name for the Mothers’ Educational Course. And it included suggestive details such as, “It is hoped that all Members will keep a reading diary, or commonplace book.”

Our team has transcribed this little bit of history. Read about the 1926 iteration of the MEC here.

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