-
Period: to
Religious education
The first form of education the States had. While obviously dated by modern standards, this was not unique to just the US, but also a common form in more developed countries. -
Jefferson shoots for Public Education
Thomas Jefferson made his first attempt at getting government involved in getting mandatory public schools. While a failure, it was the first time someone of major power tried to establish this. -
Webster's first dictionary
Webster's first educational books shaped the american language in an effort to separate us from our British roots and become our our nation. The goal was not only in language but culture. -
Period: to
Horrace is the Mann
MOST IMPORTANT
Horrace Mann helps establish/evaluate/inspect over 1000 schools. This gave the first overlook of where education was, what improvements needed to be made, and paved the way for getting government involved. -
Roberts in Massachusetts
The first time a law was successfully passed to desegregate schools. Occurring in Massachusetts which will be a pioneer for social equality more than once. -
Women for the Wild West
MOST IMPORTANT
The west needed many teachers as settlers came. Since women were cheaper/available, education colleges to train women as teachers prepared and sent them west. This played 2 roles in our society. First, women became the more common teacher in the classroom. This social aspect continues today. Second, It was a reason to push women's education further. Women still did not have the same expectation as men for higher education, this was a major step towards that equality. -
Post Civil War
Blacks are freed at the end of the Civil war and allowed to pursue education legally instead of in secret with fear of pain/death. While not equal in any form, it was a giant leap forward. -
Top in the world!
In 1890, the US officially had the highest number of public schools provided. This movement for education is a major reason we were so successful over the next century and became a major world power. -
Period: to
Immigrant wave
MOST IMPORTANT
The wave of immigrants into the country lead to multiple improvements in schools. First, religion was slowly (and violently) repressed out of curriculum due to differences in cultures. As education became less focused on which bible to read, books about actual educational subjects replaced it. Second, the massive number of people forced the education system to become organized. Schools received more funding and the system grew in many great directions. -
The Gary plan
This event really highlights the effect parents can have on their children's education. Thousands rioted before a proven effective educational plan could be implemented. The reasoning behind it was that it did not focus exclusively on preparation for higher education. Parents still get involved and have pull on what their children learn (in part because elected officials help make decisions). It is a good and bad process. The Gary plan is a shining example of it in action. -
German gets aus Schulen
The removal of German from public schools was not a knock on Germany specifically. What it really said is that despite the many languages and cultures we accept in the United states, this country does have a culture and language that newcomers will integrate into. That is English, and American culture. (this is fading slightly nowadays but it does remain). -
Period: to
Child labor laws
MOST IMPORTANT
Multiple legislative acts occurred over this period of time in both state and federal level. Getting kids out of the workplace and into school was a necessary action to keep the future of America successful. And now, with what we know about how the brain develops and what childhood means for adulthood, Child labor laws prevent the destruction/mutilation of a childs future based on their past. Kids need to play, learn, and have fun. Working 12 hours a day is destructive. -
Federal programs
MOST IMPORTANT
President Lindon B. Johnson implements the ESEA to get the federal government involved in funding public education at the primary and secondary level. This has shaped how schools spend, and compete for budgets ever since. While not always positive, the relationship between the federal government and schools has become part of the culture of working in, and organizing a public school. It also makes public schools more competitive as regulations about funding are created. -
Common Core
Common core is our current buzz word in schools which is influencing how/what certain subjects cover. It is also an attempt at uniting education nation wide in common knowledge. While common core will not last, I would assume it will pave the way to uniting education across the states in time. -
Brown vs BoE
The beginning of the home stretch for equalizing education for blacks. Another huge stepping stone in the path. It took time for it to sink in (and may never sink in some places) and remains to this day as a go to event for showing american culture grow.