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First University Established
In 1636, Harvard College is established. -
First Education Law Passed
In 1642, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed the first education law that required children to be taught to read and write. -
All Towns Establish Schools
Massachusetts requires all towns of 50 or more families to establish schools. -
Two Learning Tracks Established
In 1779, Thomas Jefferson suggested two learning tracks: for "the laboring and the learned," which tended to only create divisiveness. -
First Public U.S. High School Opens
The first public high school in America, English Classical School (now English High School) in Boston, Massachusetts, opens in 1821. -
All Public Schools Made Free
In 1827, a Massachusetts law declared all public schools to be made free to all people. -
African Institute Established
The African Institute, now named Cheyney University, is established, providing higher educations to African Americans for the first time. -
First Reform School Opens
The opening of the Massachusetts Reform School at Westboro in 1848 marks the beginning of "reform schools," combining education with the justice system. -
The Implications of Plessy v. Ferguson
The decision of Plessy v. Ferguson and the introduction of "separate but equal" to law leads to legal segregation in schools. -
California Required to Teach Immigrants
In 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court passed a law requiring California to allow and provide public education for Chinese immigrants. -
Federal Funding for Vocational Schools
The 1917 passing of the Smith-Hughes Act introduces federal funding for vocational schools. -
The SAT is Introduced
In 1926, the first Scholastic Aptitude Test was administered, creating a benchmark system for highschool students. -
Free Scholarships After WWII
The end of World War II and the G.I. Bill of Rights grants college scholarships to thousands. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In 1954, the decision of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka rules segregated schools "unequal." -
Title IX
The 1972 passing of Title IX of the Education Amendments brought equality between men and women in education. -
Segregation in the '70s
The decision of Milliken v. Bradley in 1974 allows segregation to continue. -
First Online School
In 1993, Jones International University becomes the first entirely-online school. -
Proposition 187's Impact
The passing of Proposition 187 in California means children of undocumented immigrants can't attend public schools. -
Tragedy Strikes
In 1999, the Columbine High School shooting brings a necessary attention to school shootings. -
No Child Left Behind
In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, making sure each student was given the opportunity to learn and hit educational quotas.