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Colonial Period
Dominated by religious establishment. Instruction in the school was primarily religious and authoritarian -
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Rush and Noah Webster
Advocates for free education. -
Common schools
The most important event in the history of American Education. Free schools without distinction of rich or poor. It opened the door for education for all. No other event could have occurred without this happening first.
[http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1871/Common-School-Movement.html] -
Monitorial School, Charity Schools and Infant Schools.
Concerned only with teaching the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. -
Secondary School Movement
Offering education beyond the elementary school. First high school, offering both english and classical courses. -
Horace Mann
First secretary of education. Proponent of free public schools. -
Population growth and immigration in the 19th century
School population tripled -
John Dewey
The impact of John Dewey was decisive in how schools should approach education. He provided the intellectual foundation for progressive education, the need to see the child as a whole.
[http://www.wilderdom.com/experiential/ExperientialDewey.html] -
The Measurement Movement (IQ, Thorndike, Terman)
Different scales for measuring achievement in arithmetic, spelling, reading, language and other areas. -
The Committee of Ten
They were in charge of creating an standard curriculum targeted for college preparatory courses. -
Standardized Testing
One of the most important recent developments. It holds teachers and schools accountable. They're responsible for teaching students what they're required to know for this standardized test and influences how students learn and how teachers teach.
[https://standardizedtests.procon.org] -
The impact of WW2
End of progressive education. Teachers left to the field, enrollment dropped. -
Brown Vs. Board of Education
One of the most important event in American education, the landmark Supreme Court decision that declared unconstitutional the separation of public schools for black and white students, this paved the way for integration. Today the focus the challenge is on closing the achievement gap.
[http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/history-brown-v-board-education-re-enactment] -
Civil Rights Act
By law schools have to be integrated. -
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
A pivotal event in American education. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities through the nation. However, it's not free from challenges.[https://study.com/academy/lesson/idea-individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-history-and-summary.html] -
NCLB No Child Left Behind
States are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3-8 and once in High School.
