The first round of attempts to extend the access of working people to higher education began in 1873 with an imitation of the University of London on the prairies of Illinois. For all practical purposes, it ended in the legislature of the State of New York in 1892, although it took more than a decade to formally close all of the external degree…

The accounting of the origin, development, and use of private home study schools in Illinois analyzes their enrollment, courses, regulations, economics, subject matter areas, and strengths and weaknesses. The potential they offer for future coordination with public schools is stressed and recommendations are directed to the governer, the State…