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Secondary School Movement
Served as preparatory schools for University which usually lasted 6-7 years. The first was The Boston Latin school, which was established in 1635. -
First Education Laws: Massachusetts
Known as the law of 1642, stated that parents or masters were responsible for their children's basic education and literacy. -
Law of 1647
MOST IMPORTANT
This law required that towns of fifty families hire a schoolmaster to teach children to read and write. This was significant because it was the first big step of schools becoming more of a social responsibility. This impacts us today because we are still teaching for this same purpose, to make responsible, well-rounded citizens. [http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=113] -
Impact of Jefferson, Rush, and Webster
Jefferson wanted a public school system, supported by taxes that provided free education for all children. Rush’s plan was similar to Jefferson’s, but was more specific that they would be taught English, German, and arithmetic. Webster believed that the primary purpose of education was to instill patriotism and the best way to do that was to create a national language and curriculum. -
Creation of the American High School
In 1820 the first public high school, Boston English, opened. -
Impact of Horace Mann
MOST IMPORTANT
He was Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education and is most known for his influence on creating free education for all and establishing “normal schools” where teachers were taught how to be a teacher. He was significant because he helped people see the gap in the education system and that teachers needed to be trained. This still impacts us today because you need a teaching license to be able to teach. [https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html] -
Committee of Ten
In an effort to standardize the curriculum, in 1892 the National Education Association created the Committee of Ten. -
Impact of John Dewey
MOST IMPORTANT
He believed in hands on child centered approach to learning. He also believed that the classroom should have an interdisciplinary curriculum that focused on connecting multiple subjects. The impact of John Dewey is important because he made it known that there were different and better ways to educate students. This is still important because we still use his idea of how students learn. [http://study.com/academy/lesson/john-dewey-on-education-impact-theory.html] -
First Multiple Choice Test
In 1914 Frederick Kelly created the first multiple choice test. -
Impact of WW2
The war had a devastating effect on education, as much of the school funding was cut to help with the war efforts and many students and teachers had to drop out of school to enlist. Because of this there were a lot more women who had educational opportunities during the war. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Reverses Plessy vs Ferguson, ruling that separate is not equal and outlaws segregation. -
Sputnik and NDEA
MOST IMPORTANT
Sputnik caused people to question the quality of an American education. This eventually led to NDEA, which caused a massive influx of federal dollars towards helping the education system. This was significant because it gave the education system the kind of funding it needed. This still impacts us today because education wouldn’t be where it is today without the NDEA. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Defense-Education-Act] -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
MOST IMPORTANT
IDEA ensures that students with a disability are provided with free appropriate public education that is tailored to their individual needs. IDEA being created was significant because it allowed children with disabilities the same rights to an education as all other children. This still impacts us today because now children with disabilities have so many opportunities to thrive and grow and learn because of this act. [https://sites.ed.gov/idea/] -
The Standards Movement
The standards based education reform movement called for clear, measurable standards for all school students. Teaching curriculum is also aligned to the standards. -
No Child Left Behind
George W. Bush increased federal funding for education and ushered in a standards based reform. Some people argue that it increased school's accountability, while others say it made testing the focus of education, at the expense of critical thinking.
