-
Massachusetts Bay School Law (1642)
The Massachusetts Bay School Law of 1642 required that all children learn how to read and write. Children were required to know the principles of religion and be able to read the Capital Laws. Parents were required to raise their children in lawful callings of labour or employment. -
Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647
The Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647 required that all towns establish and maintain public schools. It also required towns that towns of 50 or people set up elementary schools, and towns of 100 or more families establish secondary or Latin grammar schools. -
Ursaline Academy of New Orleans (1727)
The Ursaline Academy of New Orleans was an all girls Catholic school founded in 1727 by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula. It is both the oldest, continuously-operating school for girls as well as the oldest Catholic school in the United States. The school provides an education to women that focuses on the development of a person as a whole, growing both spiritually and intellectually. -
Idea of the English School (1751)
Benjamin Franklin wrote up a curriculum that was both modern and classical. It included courses such as history, geography, navigation, surveying, and modern as well as classical language. -
Young Ladies' Academy of Philadelphia (1787)
Before 1787, there were very few private schools for girls. It was believed that women could not be educated beyond the very basics of reading, writing, and math or be given a higher education. John Poor established the first chartered institution for the higher education of young women in the United States, the Young Ladies' Academy of Philadelphia. This included courses of reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, English grammar, composition, rhetoric, geography, history and vocal music. -
Professor James Pillans
Professor James Pillans was the Headmaster of the High School of Edinburgh and an advocate of compulsory education. in 1801, he invented the blackboard and colored chalks, and used them to teach geography. He studies the educational systems of other countries and published many books and papers on geography and education. -
The Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Deaf and Dumb Persons
The Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Deaf and Dumb Persons was opened on April 15, 1817, and was the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States. It opened with only 7 pupils, but increased to 33 within the first year. -
Perkins School for the Blind
On March 2nd, 1829, The Perkins School for the Blind was opened in Boston. For the first time, blind and deaf blind American children could attend school, where they were taught reading writing and mathematics as well as learning to use their sense of touch. It opened with only 6 students in attendance, but added ten times that number within the first six years. -
Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-Minded Children
In 1852, the Pennsylvania Training School for the Feeble-Minded Children was established to help understand and treat those with intellectual disabilities. This school emphasized the importance of using scientific methods in order to treat those with intellectual disabilities. It educated those with disabilities in the form of practical training in a trade in hopes that those individuals would become self-sufficient. -
John Dewey (1859-1952)
John Dewey was a philosopher, social reformer and educator, and one of the most significant thinkers of the 20th century. His ideas lead to the Progressive Movement in schools. Dewey argued that curriculum must be relevant to the lives of the students, and the students must be invested in their learning. -
Progressive Education Association
The Progressive Education Association was a group of persons who dedicated themselves to spread the idea of progressive education among schools. Their focus was on a child-centered education, forming curriculums based on the needs of the students. -
BEA: Bilingual Education Act
BEA was signed by President Johnson on January 2nd, 1968. It was the first U.S. federal legislation that recognized the needs of those who spoke and understood a limited amount of English. It recognized the needs for and the value of bilingual education programs in U.S. public education. -
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Founded in 1975, IDEA was enacted by congress in order to make sure that children with disabilities were given the opportunity to receive a free public education that was tailored to their individual needs. -
No Child Left Behind (2002)
No Child Left Behind is a federal law whose main focus is to close students achievement gaps by providing all children with an equal opportunity to obtain a high quality education. No Child Left Behind puts an emphasis on accountability, flexibility, research-based education, and parent options. -
ESSA: Every Student Succeeds Act
ESSA was signed by President Obama on December 10th, 2015. It was set to replace and update No Child Left Behind. The goal of ESSA it to fully prepare all students for success in college and their careers. It hold schools accountable for how students learn and achieve. -
References
Pbs.org. (2019). PBS Online: Only A Teacher: Teaching Timeline. [online] Available at: https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/timeline.html. Constitution.org. (2019). schoollaw1642.html. [online] Available at: https://www.constitution.org/primarysources/schoollaw1642.html. Eds-resources.com. (2019). American Educational History Timeline. [online] Available at: http://www.eds-resources.com/educationhistorytimeline.html.