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Land Ordinance
Legislation requires one acre of land per "township" of Western territories for a public school. -
Boston English High School
The first public high school in the U.S. opens in Boston, Mass. -
National Teachers Association
NTA is established, creating the first labor union for teachers. This association continues to be the largest labor union for teachers today. -
Department of Education
The Department of Education is created to enhance the schooling systems in the U.S. -
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is established, which begins the equating of "seat time" with credits. -
Indianola Junior High School
The first junior high school is created in an attempt to increase student performance in high schools. -
National School Lunch Act
Congress approves the National School Lunch Act. This piece of legislation leads to furthering the role of public schools in the United States. The NSLA is the first step to providing services for students beyond educational learning. -
Brown V. Board of Education
The Supreme Court rules that separate facilities are not equal, causing schools to become desegregated. This is the major event in which furthers the idea that all Americans deserve to be equally educated. The ruling of this court case continues to influence legislation to keep schooling equal for all students. -
National Defense Education Act
Following the USSR success in launching SPUTNIK, the U.S. government passes the National Defense Education Act. The NDEA increases federal funding for science, math, and foreign language education. This act marks a major point in the government determining what is being taught in school by the influence of funds. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The ESEA is passed, which provides federal funding for low-income areas and schools. As a byproduct, it creates the Title I school program. -
Education Amendment: Title IX
Title IX is passed to prevent gender discrimination in all school programs, including sports, against women. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The IDEA is passed to create equal learning opportunities for students with special needs. This includes the notion of suiting the different needs for different disabilities. -
Nation at Risk Report
A report is issued that states that the American public school system is in a state of emergency. The report begins the movement of more rigorous schooling and beginning the idea of standards. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The Bush administration passes an act which includes high stakes testing and makes schools accountable for the performance of students. This marked a major change in teaching as teachers are responsible for their students passing standardized testing. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Furthers the notion of holding school accountable for performance but gives states more control in "grading" the schools.
