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First Colony in the New World
Jamestown, Virginia was the first colony founded in America in 1607. People settled her to escape religious persecution. The only education for most children was a private one at home, and only to read and write to help them with their scriptures. -
First Public School
Colonists realized the importance of an education not only for the rich and so Boston Latin School was founded on April 23, 1635. It is the oldest public school in America and offered a free education to boys, but girls continued to attend private schools at home. -
Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647
In Massachusetts the Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647 was passed which laid the basis for public schools in America. The Act decreed that every town of fifty families or more should have an elementary school and that every town of 100 families or more should have a Latin school. The Puritans thought highly of literacy and believed that everyone should be able to read and interpret the Bible. The importance of family, religion and community was taught in school.
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Two-track Educational System
In 1779, Thomas Jefferson proposed A Bill for a two-track educational system. This two-track system separated the "laboring class and the learned class." It was a way to separate the wealthy from the less fortunate. He envisioned this plan to support the best and brightest students to attend the College of William and Mary, where only a few of the laboring class would receive scholarships to attend. -
First free education for the poor
The Pennsylvania state constitution was the first to call for a free public education for the poor. -
First public high school
Boston English opens as the first public high school in the U.S.. -
Free Education for all
Massachusetts passes a law making all grades of public school free. -
Education for African Americans
With the end of legal slavery, African Americans push for guarantees of a free public education. -
Segregation
Legal segregation begins with the withdrawal of federal troops. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
In the case of Plessy v. Ferguson, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that in favor of the state of Louisiana that segregation is legal, including in schools. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The Supreme Court unanimously agrees that segregated schools are "inherently unequal" and must be abolished. Almost 45 years later in 1998, schools, especially in the north, are as segregated as ever. -
Title IX and Sex Discrimination
President Nixon signed the TItle IX act states that, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
In 1975, Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act,. The act was to protect and improve the the rights of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. -
Plyer v. Doe
In 1982, the case of Plyer v. Doe the Supreme Court made a decision that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education based on their immigration status, after the Texas Legislature revised its education laws in 1975 to deny education of children who were not "legally admitted" to the country. -
California Proposition 187
In 1994, California Proposition 187 was a ballot initiative to prohibit illegal immigrants from using non-emergency health care, public education, and other services in the State of California. -
No Child Left Behind
America instituted the No Child Left Behind law of 2001 was based on academic progress and provided extra educational assistance to poor children.
