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Colonial Period
Education in the colonial period was very basic. Education was up to individual towns and lessons were based in religion. -
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History of American Education
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First Education Laws
The first education laws were passed in Massachusetts in the mid to late 1600s. The laws death with how many schools should be in towns and what children should be taught. -
Institutes For Women
Catherine Beecher founded the Hartford Female Seminary. Catherine Beecher was a strong advocate for women receiving a high level of education. At her institutions women were trained how to become teachers. -
First Comprehensive Coed High School
In 1831, the first comprehensive coed high school was initiated. The school was located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Here, boys and girls could receive an education together. [http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html(http://www.timetoast.com) -
*COMMON SCHOOLS
The idea of common schools was to create a more standardized, equal education system for students across the U.S. Horace Mann, the first secretary of education was highly instrumental in this movement. He went around surveying schools across the U.S. and determined that there needed to be improvements made to make the school system better. This event is important because it was the first real effort to standardize education. http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html -
Segregation Abolished in Massachusetts
Because of Sarah Robert's father, her case of being rejected from all five white schools she applied to was taken to the supreme court. In 1855, segregation was abolished in schools in Massachusetts. -
Committee of Ten
Charles Elliot was the chair of the first committee of representatives who met in an effort to standardize curriculum across the nation. Representatives in this committee were all university representatives. -
*PROGRESSIVE REFORM
In the early 1900s, John Dewey became the father of progressive education because of his work to improve education in the U.S.. He stressed the importance of education the whole child. During this movement, children were encouraged to learn through exploration and teachers were not to worry about following such a strict curriculum. Although this may have been a little too radical of a change, it helped move us to where our education is today. http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/john.html -
The Measurement Movement
In the late 20th century, Lewis Terman and Edward Thorndike began using IQ testing to determine mental development. Students were classified based on the results of their IQ testing. -
*BROWN VS. BOARD OF EDUCATION
In this monumental historical event, the Supreme Court ruled that separate facilities for black and white students made for unequal educational opportunities. From henceforth, schools were to be desegregated to allow for better educational opportunities. African American students and white students would be integrated. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
National Defense Education Act
Following the launch of Sputnik, education in the U.S. became more competitive. A greater focus was placed on Math, Science, and Language studies. -
Civil Rights Bill
Lindon B. Johnson signed a bill stating that states and school districts would loose funding if they continued the practice of segregation. LBJ had strong feelings toward education and encouraged the idea of equal educational opportunities for poor students. -
*INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN EDUCATION ACT
This act declared that disabled children were entitled to a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. This was the first act dealing with students with disabilities. Before this act, more than 70% of disabled children were not attending school. This act made it possible for disabled students to be given the opportunity to gain an education. http://idea.ed.gov -
*THE STANDARDS MOVEMENT
Following a report by President Ronald Reagan talking about the mediocre state of our nation's education system, the Standards Movement was enacted. Essentially, students would be held to a higher standard in education. There would be longer days, higher graduation requirements, and standardized testing. This movement raised the quality of education in the United States. http://neatoday.org/2013/04/25/a-nation-at-risk-turns-30-where-did-it-take-us-2/ -
No Child Left Behind
Enacted by President George W. Bush, this act introduced standards for math and reading that every student should be held to. Progress would be marked yearly in the schools.
