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Jan 1, 1500
The Renaissance
[Blog Post: "Education in the Renaissance"](<a href='http://education14.blogspot.com/2008/11/viii-education-during-renaissance.html)' >Blog Post: "Education in the Renaissance"</a>The Renaissance was a time of revival in the history of mankind. During this time period, ideas and creations began to bring light to the Dark Ages that were quickly falling behind in time. The restoration of the arts and humanities and sciences are what spurred the growth and core values that would come in the next few centuries. Exploration, colonization, industrialization, and education became foundational and widespread values. -
The Founding of Harvard College
Harvard was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was the first of its kind--no other higher education institutions existed in the colonies before 1636. Because of this, Harvard clearly has tremendous historical influence. At the time, upper-class white men attended the school, but today thousands of other higher ed. institutions have been created to meet the needs of the larger society. -
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence
This event is obviously extremely significant in our nation's history and it is a significant event specifically for our nation's educational history. When America declared independence and a democratic government, it forever set the course of the education systems that our society would strive for. Philosophers like John Locke and Benjamin Franklin rose up to connect our new government to educational thought. The theoretical foundation for free, universal, and public schools was laid. -
Influence of Noah Webster
Noah Webster completes spelling book, reader, and grammar text designed to unify a multicultural society (Spring 52). In the quickly diversifying culture of the United States, educated leaders like Noah Webster had positive intentions of uniting Americans by way of the english language. This trend would appear in the coming decades and centeries, all the way up to present day conflicts over language use in schools. -
Founding of the New York Free School Society
The New York Free School Society was founded in order to open charity schools. The purpose of charity schools was to use education to end crime and poverty. By the 1840's the multiple New York Free Schools came under public control and formed the core--moral values and public welfare--of the early system of public schools in New York City. Encyclopedia.com Article -
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The Life and Influence of John Dewey
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Plessy v. Ferguson: "Separate But Equal"
Historical Details: Plessy v. FergusonThe Plessy v. Ferguson case resulted from a racial dispute on a train and ended with the confirmation of segregation across the country. Whites and blacks would be separate in nearly all public places (schools included), but clearly not equal because all of their human rights hardly existed at the time. (Finally overturned in Brown v. Board case, 1954) -
Indian Citizenship Act
Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924. Even though gaining U.S. citizenship was a huge victory, this act managed to set the stage for the social class that Native Americans would have...forever. Still today, most of the Native American population is greatly underrepresented, impoverished, excluded from "American" society, and lacking equal educational and economic opportunities. -
The Life and Influence of John Dewey
"Schoolhouse Pioneer": John DeweyJohn Dewey (1859-1952) was arguably the most influential American-born philosopher of our time. He is credited for creating the the educational theories of pragmatism and progressivism, both of which include ideals for our education system. Dewey's research and writing is still well-read today and his theories are utilized in many large teacher training institutions such as the Teacher's College of Columbia University. -
Civil Rights Act
Following decades of racism, segregation, and discrimination that led to protesting, violence, and petitioning, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. It outlawed discrimination of any kind and most important in the education world: it ended forced segregation of public schools. Despite the fight for equal rights still continuing today, the victory of ending segregation has changed our country and it's school system tremendously. -
Bilingual Education Act
In the early 1960s, Mexican American students boycotted. They demanded bilingual programs and classes related to Mexican American history and culture. Their efforts, along with the unrest of other multicultural minority groups, were rewarded with this first act that legalized Bilingual Education. It was the start to taking a look at the most effecient ways to teach multiple languages as well as cultural traditions in schools. -
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
American Indian Relief Council
Because of this act, the government could now contract with tribal governments for federal services; however, Native Americans were officially allowed to independently operate their schools. Native Americans now have the chance to take control of their education system and maintain their cultural traditions. -
"Nation At Risk" Report Release
During the Reagan Administration, "A Nation at Risk" was a report released nationwide that blamed the American Public Edcuation system for America's difficulty in competing with other countries like Japan. This issuance of this report fully changed the course of our modern education system: increased academic standards, improved teacher quality, and reform of curriculum. The control of state and federal government quickly began to overpower local school boards and students on the ground level. -
Immigration Act of 1990
This Act was so significant because it's signing allowed for increased numbers of immigrants to come into America. This is looked at as a good or bad decision in political eyes, but in educational eyes, it's been just plain difficult. Our nation has gone through immigration waves before, but with population ever-increasing and economic status undpredictable, the high amounts of immigration puts pressure on our school systems to accomodate all of the different religions, cultures, languages, etc. -
No Child Left Behind Act
U.S. Department of Education
One of the most recent decisions that was made that has impacted the American school system tremendously is the No Child Left Behind Act. It was enacted by the Bush Administration in 2002 for many different purposes: nationalized federal accountability standards for creating global workers, addressed religion in school, and promoted equal educational opportunities.
