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1635
The first "free school" in Virginia opens. However, education in the Southern colonies is more typically provided at home by parents or tutors. -
1743
Benjamin Franklin forms the American Philosophical Society, which helps bring ideas of the European Enlightenment, including those of John Locke, to colonial America. Emphasizing secularism, science, and human reason, these ideas clash with the religious dogma of the day, but greatly influence the thinking of prominent colonists, including Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. -
1821
The first public high school, Boston English High School, opens . -
1857 (Most Important 1)
BIRTH OF TEACHERS’ UNION
The National Teachers Association was created to give educators a united front, starting with just 100 members. Today the union is
the National Education Association and has more than 3.2 million members. Link text -
1896
PLESSY V FERGUSON
The mantra separate but equal stems from this Supreme Court ruling, which legalizes segregation. But institutions, including schools, that are designated for blacks are far inferior to those for whites. -
1918
FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
All states have laws requiring mandatory school attendance for
children through elementary school. -
1925 (Most Important 2)
PIERCE V SOCIETY OF SISTERS
This Supreme Court ruling finds that children can’t be compelled to attend public school and can instead attend private school. This decision marked the start of the Supreme Court's recognition that due process protected individual liberties. Over the course of the next half century, those liberties would include the right to marry, to have children, to marital privacy, to have an abortion, and others. Link text -
1954 (Most Important 3)
BROWN V BOARD OF EDUCATION
The decision reverses Plessy v Ferguson, ruling that separate is not equal, and outlaws segregation.This ruling paved the way for integration and was a major victory of the Civil Rights Movement. Link text -
1957
MATH AND SCIENCE TAKE PRECEDENCE
The Soviets makes history, launching the Sputnik satellite into orbit and instilling fear in many Americans. This results in funding of more than $1 billion to revamp science and math curricula in public schools. -
1965 (Most Important 4)
FEDERAL FUNDING
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 gives federal funding to schools while forbidding a national curriculum. Passed as a part of United States President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by the United States Congress. Link text -
1970
TEST RESULTS REPORTED TO GOVERNMENT
Standardized testing is used to measure school performance, and
scores are not reported to the government and public. The federal
government takes a larger role in subsidizing schools and wants them to be held accountable. -
1974
LAU V NICHOLS
The Supreme Court expands the rights of students who have limited
English skills, ruling that they should receive an equal education. -
1983
A NATION AT RISK
The report, issued by President Ronald Reagan’s National Commission on Excellence in Education, points to severe
underperformance of American schools. -
2001
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Signed into law by President George W. Bush, No Child Left Behind
increases federal funding for education and ushers in standards based reform. Proponents argue that it has increased schools’
accountability. -
2003
GETTING CONNECTED
All American schools have access to the Internet, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. -
2010 (Most Important 5)
Common Core State Standards
an educational initiative in the United States that details what K–12 students should know in English language arts and mathematics at the end of each grade. The initiative seeks to establish consistent educational standards across the states as well as ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter college programs or to enter the workforce.
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