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Latin School for Boys
Instituted in the Spanish colony of St. Augustine (present-day Florida), it was one of the first schools in North America -
Quakers establish the Friends Public School
Established in Philadelphia, it was one of the first public schools in America, focused on Quaker principles of equality and tolerance. -
Early Colonial Education
During the colonial era, education was primarily run by the church and focused on religious instruction and basic reading -
Boston opens America's first public high school
Boston Grammar School was established as the first tax-funded public high school in America. -
Common School Movement
Spurred on by Horace Mann and other reformers, this movement advocated for free and universal public education for all children, regardless of background or wealth. -
Progressive Era
Focused on social and political reforms, including education. He introduced changes such as compulsory education, vocational education, and the kindergarten movement. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, setting a precedent for school integration. -
Civil Rights Movement
Fought against racial segregation in schools and advocated for equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of race. -
Engel vs Vitale
Legal case that banned mandatory prayer in public schools, arguing that it violated the First Amendment of the Constitution -
Tinker vs Des Moines
Legal case that affirmed the rights of students to express their political opinions at school, protecting freedom of expression. -
Lemon vs Kurtzman
Legal case that established the "Lemon Test" to determine the constitutionality of government financial aid to religious schools, emphasizing secularity -
Board of Education v Rowley
Legal case that set the standard for special education, holding that students with disabilities have a right to an "appropriate" education but not necessarily the "best." -
Plyler
Legal case affirming the right of undocumented immigrant children to receive a free public education in the United States -
New Jersey v T.L.O
A legal case that set the standard for searches and searches in schools, requiring reasonable suspicion to take such actions -
United States vs Lopez
A legal case that limited Congress' reach to regulate education, declaring the School Gun-Free Zones Act unconstitutional -
No Child Left Behind
Bipartisan law that sought to improve educational standards, especially in reading and math, and close the achievement gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. -
No Child Left Behind Act
Introduced by President George W. Bush, this law sought to improve accountability in public education and close the achievement gap between students from different demographic groups. -
Forest Grove School District vs. T. A
Legal case that addressed the responsibility of public schools in the education of students with disabilities, even if they were not initially identified as eligible for special services.