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"Normal School"
America's first federally funded "Normal School" was founded in Massachusetts in 1839. This school was for high school students who wanted to become teachers. The school was originally intended to be a model or "norm" for teachers to follow. These schools are now called universities. -
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A History of Educcation
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1918 Free Public Schools
All states now have laws requiring mandatory school attendence for children through elementary school. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Before 1954 many states in the U.S. had laws allowing racial seperation in public schools. States followed the "seperate but equal" doctrine. The supreme court ruled that seperate schools were inherently unequal thus beginning desegregation. Today our schools are rich with diversity. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This act brought federal funding into our schools but also made standardized testing a requirement. -
Education for the handicapped.
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act provides for free appropriate public education to children with disabilities. Children between the ages of 3 and 21 will be educated as their Individual Education Plan outlines. -
No Child Left Behind Act
President George W. Bush, concerned about accountability in schools, passed the No Child Left Behind Act.Supposed increased federal funds were to come but now teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, a license to teach and have passed content matter exams. Schools must progress each year in hopes of being considered proefficient. Some say schools now are focused on testing instead of critical thinking.
