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First Free School in America
The Syms School was founded in 1635, as the first free school in the Americas.
I believe this important because it marks the beginning of the journey of free public schooling. -
First Higher Education Institution in U.S
Harvard College the first higher education institution in what is now the United States, is established in Newtowne (now Cambridge), Massachusetts.
This is important because now people have the ability to get a high education in a institution. -
The Massachusetts Law of 1647
Decrees that every town of at least 50 families hire a schoolmaster who would teach the town's children to read and write and that all towns of at least 100 families should have a Latin grammar school master who will prepare students to attend Harvard College.
Important because this makes it mandatory for children to get an education. -
Publishing of Essay Concerning Human Understanding
John Locke publishes his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, which conveys his belief that the human mind is a tabula rasa, or blank slate, at birth and knowledge is derived through experience, rather than innate ideas as was believed by many at that time.
This is important because his views would greatly influence American education and what would come in the following years -
First Public Library
The first publicly supported library in the U.S. is established in Charles Town, South Carolina.
Important because now people have access to books. -
Textbooks
Noah Webster writes A Grammatical Institute of the English Language , consisting of three volumes: a spelling book, a grammar book, and a reader. They become very widely used throughout the United States.
Important because now children have access to good textbooks. -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 specifies that the western territories are to be divided into townships made up of 640-acre sections, one of which was to be set aside "for the maintenance of public schools."
Important because now there will be land for public school so there can be more schools where children can go to school -
Northwest Ordinance and Education
The Northwest Ordinance is enacted by the Confederation Congress. One of the parts recognizes the importance of education, Act 3 of the document begins, "Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Says as well that a section of land in every township of each new state be reserved for the support of education.
Important because education is becoming something important. -
Young Ladies Academy
This is the first academy for girls opened in America. It was opened by John Poor in Philadelphia. It taught young ladies Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, English Grammar, Rhetoric, Composition and Geography.
Important because girls had a place to be educated. -
An Act to Establish Public Education
Thomas Jefferson authors Bill 79: "A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge," which provides "a comprehensive plan for public education" It is presented in the Virginia House of Delegates several times before a revised bill titled, "An Act to Establish Public Education," is finally passed in 1796.
Important because helped establish public education so more children had access to an education. -
First Permanent School for the Deaf
The Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons opens. It is the first permanent school for the deaf in the U.S. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc are the school's co-founders.
This is important as deaf people could have a chance at education. -
First Public Highschool
Boston English High School, one of the first public high schools in the U.S., opens.
Important because this means more people could get a higher level of education and now there are multiple public high schools all around. -
First School for the Blind
The New England Asylum for the Blind, now the Perkins School for the Blind, opens in Massachusetts, becoming the first school in the U.S. for children with visual disabilities.
This is important because now children with visual disabilities are able to get education. -
National Education Association Established
The NEA was established.
Important because it advocates for education professionals and to unite the members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. -
Department of Education
The Department of Education is created in order to help states establish effective school systems.
This is important because this is when education gets help from the government. -
First Junior High
In order to improve high school graduation rates, 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.
Important because helped improve graduation rates. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality.
This is important because now segregation was viewed as unlawful and now all students could go to public schooling freely. -
The Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act becomes law. Section 504 of this act guarantees civil rights for people with disabilities in the context of federally funded institutions and requires accommodations in schools including participation in programs and activities as well as access to buildings.
This is important because now disabled students now can get the extra helped needed for school. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a four-part piece of American legislation that ensures students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education that is tailored to their individual needs.
This is important because now children with disabilities could no longer be excluded from getting an education. -
Columbine 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.
Important because after this school tightened security and this marks a beginning in the modern day crisis of school shootings.