History of Education

  • Boston Latin School Founded

    Boston Latin School was founded for students to get a pre-college education.
  • Harvard College Established

    Boys attended Harvard before they took on leadership roles in churches.
  • Massachusetts Act of 1642

    This act required each town to determine whether young peaople could read and write. If children were unable to read or understand the principles of religion, etc., the parents could be fine and/or lose custody of the children.
  • Philadelphia Academy Opened

    This school replaced the old Latin grammar school, and had a larger curriculum which was more practical and focused more on English than Latin.
  • Northwest Ordinance Passed

    This ordinance opened up more states which allowed for more schools to open.
  • First Public Normal School Opened in Lexington, Massachusetts

    The curriculum for this school consisted mainly of general knowledge courses as well as teaching courses to prepare future teachers.
  • Wargarethe Schurz Opens First U.S. Kindergarten

    The founding of this first kindergarten gave young children to begin schooling.
  • American Federation of Teachers Founded

    This federation was founded to professionalize teaching as well as increte teachers' salaries and benefits.
  • Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

    This case declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional.
  • National Defense Education Act of 1958 Signed

    This act encouraged research and improvements in math, science, modern foreign languages, and guidance.