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Education in the Colonial Period
The first english settlement in North America is estasblished at Jamestown. Schools did not exist yet, and education took place within the home. During this time, the Puritans in the New England Colony began contributing to the development of education. -
MOST IMPORTANT: Massachusetts Bay School Law
Education Laws: MassachusettsThis event marks one of the first instances where our country made an effort towards education. The state realized that if they wanted to have a successful nation, they needed to educate the youth. This law required selectmen to check up on families to ensure children were being taught within their homes. The selectmen also checked to see what was being taught. If they felt a child was not being adequately educated, they would assign that child to a new master (or teacher). -
MOST IMPORTANT: Massachusetts Law of 1647
Education Laws: MassachusettsThis law was also known as the Old Deluder Satan Act. It decrees that every town of at least 50 families hire a schoolmaster to teach the children to read and write. This law also required all towns containing at least 100 families to have a latin grammar school. I feel the Massachusetts Laws are two of the most important moments in history because they are the first instances where education becomes a priority in the U.S. Because of these laws, education became more of a social responsibility. -
MOST IMPORTANT: Thomas Jefferson's Contributions
Thomas Jefferson and EducationJefferson was as strong advocate for education. It was during this year that Thomas Jefferson first proposed the idea of free education. He wrote a bill titled "More General Diffusion of Knowledge" in which he propsed 3 years of free education for all children. The education provided would be funded by tax dollars. This bill was shot down three times between 1779 and 1817. This bill excluded slaves. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance is enacted by the Confederation congress. This ordinance provided a plan for western expansion. It also banned slaves in new states. This act states the importance of education and says, "...education shall forever be encouraged." -
MOST IMPORTANT: The Common School and Horace Mann
Horace Mann and The Common School MovementDuring this year, the first ever state board of education is formed. A man named Horace Mann becomes secretary of the state of education. Horace Mann worked to improve the education system by riding horseback to observe and evaluate schools. He began the Common School Movement. This movement was focused on promoting education as an equalizer. Mann believed that education should be free with no distinctions. He believed that education was not just for the elite, but for the poor also. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
This act was yet another stepping stone for the civil rights movement aimed at ending racial segregation. This act is sometimes called the Enforcement Act, or Force Act, and took place during the Reconstruction Era. This act guarenteed African Americans equal treatment in public accomodation. These "accomodations" include schools! -
Committee of Ten
The Committe of Ten was organized in hopes to standardize American Education. Members of this committee worked to find standards that every school should focus on. They gave recommendations to manys schools who had competing philosophies. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. Board of Education was a landmark court case that furthered civil rights efforts. This case declared that "separate but equal" really isn't equal at all. This case ended racial segregation in public schools. This case overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
This was the first civil rights act passed since the 1875 act. This bill gave the right to vote to all citizens. I feel this act influenced education because now all citizens had the right to vote for politicians that have an influence on education. This act also showed additional support to the Brown vs. Board of Education case that ended racial segregation in public schools. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Lydnon B. Johnson passed this act as part of his "war on poverty." This act is an extensive statute that funds primary and secondary education. This act had many effects including providing more funding for schools. This act was focused on shortening achievement gaps so as to allow students equal and appropriate opportunities to reach educational success. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This act promised students with a disability free and appropriate education. This act offered education that is tailored to students' individual and unique needs. Another aspect of this act is it ensured that students would be able to learn in a non-restrictive environment. This act promoted appropriate evaluation. -
Nation at Risk Report
Given by Ronald Reagan, this report pointed out many areas where American education was failing. This report pushed for a higher level of education, mastery, and excellence. The report focused on a few key areas. These areas include: content, standards and expectations, time, teaching, leadership, and fiscal report. -
No Child Left Behind Act 2001
This act, proposed by President Bush, aimed to close the achievement gap bewteen students and schools. This act requried states to develop assessments in basic skills. These assessments are then evaluated and compared across the nation. This act is the biggest influence on standardized testing. -
MOST IMPORTANT: Dewey and Progressive Education
Progressive EducationJohn Dewey is considered to be the father of Progressive Education. He believed that schools should be anchoried not only in basic educational skills, but also mental and emotional skills and processes. He believed school should not just be a place where you learn acedemics, but also a place to learn how to live. Progressive Education aimed to help students learn through experience. Dewey believed students should learn by doing. Dewey introduced the "hands on" apporach we see today.
