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Horace Mann and the Common School
Horace Mann played an important part in the education system of our country. According to an article by Graham Warder, "Mann argued that the common school, a free, universal, non-sectarian, and public institution, was the best means of achieving the moral and socioeconomic uplift of all Americans" (2015, para.1). Mann was important because he made it clear that Americans deserved to have access to quality education. He believed that his common schools could provide that to students. -
The Kalamazoo Case
In 1858, the first high school opened in Kalamazoo. Soon after though, a lawsuit was brought against the school. According to Elizabeth Timmerman, "Three prominent Kalamazoo property owners filed a suit intended to prevent the school board from funding the high school with tax money" (2012, para. 3). This lawsuit took place in 1873. After the hearing, the court was in favor of the school. This is important because it allowed for more public education to students at higher grade levels. -
Brown v. the Board of Education
One of the biggest historical events in American education includes Brown v. the Board of Education. According to History.com, "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional" (2009, para. 1). This decision allowed schools to be integrated. It was a big turning point in the civil rights movement that was occurring, which was big step towards equality. -
Charter Schools Are Introduced
According to Suzanne E. Eckes, a charter school is defined as, "A publicly funded tuition-free school of choice that has greater autonomy than a traditional public school" (2019, para. 1). The first charter school started in 1992. Charters are expected to meet certain standards in order to be funded. If they don't then they may face closure. For some students, charter schools are a better fit than public schools. When these schools started, it gave parents more options for their kid's education. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
According to Brian Duignan and Jeanette Nolen on Britannica.com, "Under the law, states were required to administer yearly tests of the reading and mathematics skills of public school students" (2019, para, 2).This act was signed by President George W. Bush in 2002. A lot of schools began to depend on students doing well on tests. Many argued that teachers began to teach to the test only, which can take away the focus on students. Schools still use these tests in education in classes today.
