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First Association of American Universities is founded
The Association of American Universities is founded to promote higher standards and put U.S. universities on an equal footing with their European counterparts. -
4-H becomes a national program
A youth program begun in Ohio "is considered the birth of 4-H." With the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, 4-H becomes a national program for positive youth development. -
First Junior High Opens
The Columbus Ohio School Board authorizes the creation of junior high schools. Indianola Junior High School opens that fall and becomes the first junior high school in the U.S. -
Free Transportation
All states have laws providing funds for transporting children to school. -
The Great Depression
Public education funding suffers greatly due to the Great Depression, resulting in school closings, teacher layoffs, and lower salaries. -
Religious Acts During School
In the case of McCollum v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court rules that schools cannot allow "released time" during the school day which allows students to participate in religious education in their public school classrooms. -
Beginning of Segregation
On May 17th, the U.S. Supreme Court announces its decision in the case of Brown v. Board. of Education of Topeka, ruling that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," thus overturning its previous ruling in the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson. Brown v. Board of Education is actually a combination of five cases from different parts of the country. It is a historic first step in the long and still unfinished journey toward equality in U.S. education. -
First ACT
The ACT Test is first administered. -
First steps of segregation
First grader Ruby Bridges is the first African American to attend William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. She becomes a class of one as parents remove all Caucasian students from the school. -
MLK Holiday
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, observed on the third Monday of January, celebrates his "life and legacy." -
First Calculator
Texas Instruments introduces the first in its line of electronic hand-held calculators, the TI-2500 Data Math. TI becomes an industry leader known around the world. -
Bilingual Associations is Founded
The National Association of Bilingual Education is founded. -
High Interest in Homeschooling
John Holt's book, Teach Your Own: A Hopeful Path for Education, adds momentum to the homeschooling movement. -
Teacher in Space
Christa McAuliffe is chosen by NASA from among more than 11,000 applicants to be the first teacher-astronaut, but her mission ends tragically as the Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after its launch, killing McAuliffe and the other six members of the crew. -
First step into a world of technology
The smart board (interactive white board) is introduced by SMART Technologies. -
Instruction required in english
California voters pass Proposition 227, requiring that all public school instruction be in English. -
School Shooting
On April 20th, two Columbine High School students go on a killing spree that leaves 15 dead and 23 wounded at the Littleton, Colorado school, making it the nations' deadliest school shooting incident. -
School Assingments
In the cases of Parents involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No 1 and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that race cannot be a factor in assigning students to high schools, thus rejecting integration plans in Seattle and Louisville, and possibly affecting similar plans in school districts around the nation. -
Teacher Cut
The School District of Philadelphia announces on June 7 that it will cut nearly 4000 employees, including 676 teachers as well as many administrators and guidance counselors. -
Walk Out
Thousands of students across the nation walk out of classrooms on March 14 demanding changes in gun laws. -
Teachers on Strike
The Arizona teachers strike ends as legislators pass both a pay increase and school-funding plan -
Most recent shooting
Ten are killed and 10 more wounded at Santa Fe High School (Texas) in the latest senseless school shooting incident.
