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Latin Grammar Schools
Set in one room school houses, Latin Grammar Schools were established to teach Latin and Greek to local children. Known as the Boston Latin School, the first documented school in America was erected in 1635. Entrance to the school was met by simply reciting a few verses from the Bible. These schools prepared often wealthy children for college at nearby Harvard. ("SPECIAL SECTION: Reflections on Alma Mater", 2012) -
Harvard College
Originally created to provide a higher education in ministry to wealthy children and those seeking to further a career as a pastor or other type of religious leader, the country’s first college was created. Named after its original financial contributor, Reverend John Harvard, the university has tailored its curriculum to the demands of the community from the beginning. That being said, it was not until 1782 that the college added other degree programs to its agenda (first being Medical Studie -
The Massachusetts Bay Law for Schooling
Christianity has been prominent in American schools since the beginning. Concerned about the decline in morals and values of its children, Puritan orthodox leaders passed a first of its kind law in Massachusetts Bay mandating schooling. In these schools, youth were taught to read so they could better understand doctrine and religious principles. (Gaither, 2011) -
Old Deluder Satan Act (The Massachusetts Law of 1647)
In response to the historic Old Deluder Satan Law, towns larger than 50 families were expected to provide an education to its children. Likewise, if a town possessed 100 families, it was required to provide a Latin Grammar School (originating from the mid 1630’s) to prepare its students for post-secondary school (likely at Harvard). Towns not willing to comply would be fined by the government. (Gaither, 2011) This law was a precursor to many more changes in American Education. -
The Academy of Philadelphia
It was more than 100 years after the first law regarding government mandated schooling was passed that curriculum took a dramatic turn away from religion and toward employing future generations. With the formation of academies, students were now taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and philosophy; in addition to the original subjects of Latin/Greek grammar and theology (Gaither, 2011). The first American Academy opened its doors in January of 1751 (Gaither, 2011). It was founded by Benjamin F -
Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Jefferson’s Bill in 1779 called for a free education to every White child throughout Virginia. This bill was split into 4 parts. Initially, 3 years would be provided to all children. Following this, 1 boy would be chosen to attend 1 of 20 the boarding schools in the state. Once again, a single student would be hand-picked from each school to receive 4 years of tuition-free education. Furthermore, many students go on to William and Mary on a scholarship. This bill would never be implemented -
Noah Webster’s Grammatical Institute of the English Language
Noah Webster, best known for his dictionary used throughout the country, published a series of literature entitled Grammatical Institute of the English Language. It focused on the spelling, pronunciation, and definition of common words. After his initial findings were presented, he continually updated it to accommodate the English language as used in the United States. (Gaither, 2011) -
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Era of Common Schools
This timeframe is best known for great American educational reform. Many educators and decision makers were far from pleased with the way the education system was being handled and wanted to focus more on stabilizing education throughout the country. This era saw a change in attendance policies, funding, the quality of structures and materials, and the war on segregation. This was a crucial time in molding American education into what it is today. (Gaither, 2011) -
Horace Mann
In 1837, Horace Mann took the post as the very first secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. He had an undying urge to fight for improved universal funding for the state’s schools. In addition, he believed that teachers needed better training and preparation to be effective in the classroom. During the 11 years he held this position, he also edited for the Common School Journal, where he was able to voice these visions on a wider scale. Horace Mann was a great reformer who went on -
A System of Grading
In 1847, John Philbrick introduced a system of grading to the Quincy Grammar School of Boston. This system was the nation’s first view of what is now known as “grade school”. Instead of placing children of varying skill levels into one room, it called for groups of similarly developed individuals working on specific studies. It also placed teachers into these classrooms to focus on certain “grades” instead of the entire school. In the years to come, school systems were able to break children -
Kindergarten
Upon returning from a trip to Germany, Margarethe Schurz introduced a play-based teaching style to the nation for the first time. Influenced by German educator Friedrich Froebel, Schurz guided Elizabeth Peabody to institute a kindergarten program in school systems throughout the country (Gaither, 2011). Still today, kindergarten prepares children for elementary school while still allowing them to be kids. -
Department of Education
Established in 1867, the Department of Education is part of the federal government’s executive branch to help the development of America’s education system. From the beginning, it helped provide schools throughout the government with the knowledge and information needed to better school systems. Today, it continues to monitor and gather information to pass on to educators and institutes around the nation. ("Federal Role in Education", 2012) -
Indian Boarding School
In 1879, the first Indian boarding school was opened in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The primary goal of such schools was to assimilate Native Americans to American culture through education. Controversial from the beginning, these schools were rumored to have the end goal of grooming these children to the ways of the “White man”. Schooling would start on the reservation and eventually lead children away from their families to be fully immersed in American culture. This was the government’s first a -
IQ Test
In the early 1900’s, French psychologists, Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon, developed an aptitude test that the United States still uses today to measure the level of intelligence that a person possesses. It wasn’t until 1910 that these tests were translated in English and distributed to organizations throughout the country. These “Intelligence Quotient” testing has led to many college entrance exams including the “SAT” and the “ACT”. (Gaither, 2011) -
Progressive School Models
The early 1900’s brought more reform. Based on Progressive School models, Montessori schools were first introduced to the United States in 1911. In a less traditional classroom environment, these schools offer education through individuality. With little teacher interaction, the classrooms are set up to allow children to move from activity to activity at their own will to allow them to learn at their own pace. (Gaither, 2011) -
Brown vs Board of Education
In May of 1954, the Supreme Court overturned the Plessy vs. Ferguson case of 1896 that fully segregated African Americans in the education system. The monumental decision in the case of Brown vs. Board of Education called for segregated, but identical quality of education to African Americans. More importantly, this led to further civil rights movements that have opened school systems to all races and ethnicities. (Gaither, 2011) -
National Defense Education Act
The mid-1900’s brought new innovation in space endeavors throughout the world. In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully propelled its first satellite into space. It is famously known as Sputnik. This endeavor crazed the American government in its ongoing battle to top the Soviet Union’s developments of new technology. The Department of Education soon called for increased efforts to focus on math and science in the classrooms from elementary school all the way through college. The NDEA, passed -
Ruby Bridges
The civil rights movement saw a new high when the first African American student, 1st grader Ruby Bridges, crossed the threshold of a New Orleans public school in 1960. For the first time in the nation’s history, an African American attended a public school. Unfortunately, the court mandated decision led to the disenrollment of every Caucasian student in the school. Ruby endured a lot of hate and terrorism throughout her early days in the school, but she prevailed and was a symbol for the cou -
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)
The case of San Antonio v. Rodri¬guez found that no one is guaranteed an absolute right to education. Fortunately reformers and activists were ignited to fight for the right of all children; especially those with learning disabilities. Congress fought hard throughout the early 1970’s and eventually, in 1975, successfully pushed unprecedented, detailed legislation through its ranks addressing special education. The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) has led to numerous legis -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Public Law 101-47)
The IDEA mandate brings a new set of terminology to the government’s vocabulary. Instead of focusing on a child’s handicaps, the new term used is disabilities. This term is more public accepted. In addition, the new Act calls for arbitration between parents and teachers/administration when dealing with issues in and out of the classroom. Further legislation is passed in 2004 modifying this Act. (Gaither, 2011) -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
After several legislative attempts to approach the many issues schools face when dealing with children from all walks of life, races, classes, and skill levels, Congress and President Bush agreed on the NCLB Act in early 2002. This legislation calls for government mandated testing to evaluate students nationwide. Such testing, though controversial, provides the federal government with information to rate teachers, students, and school systems. It also decided funding and provides penalties to