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Education in the Colonial Period
The Education law of 1647 ordered townships to provide a teacher or grammar school based on the number of households within the township. -
Common Schools
Taxation began for the support of state-controlled schools. Common schools were free of charge to children and their parents. -
The Impact of Horace Mann
MOST IMPORTANT
Horace Mann is considered to be the "Father of American Education". He was the first secretary of education and he tried to increase public awareness of the poor condition of many schools. He felt that every child had the right to receive an education. I feel that Horace Mann helped to establish what we know as public education today and helped the public realize the importance of educating our children. For more information, visit https://www.britannica.com/biography/Horace-Mann. -
The Committee of Ten
This committee was formed in an effort to standardize education. -
The Progressive Reform Movement
Educators wanted reforms to the curriculum and administration. They also wanted schools to be more sanitary and for schools to provide basic health care and food service. -
The Impact of John Dewey
MOST IMPORTANT
John Dewey believed in a child-centered approach to learning. He felt that children should learn through experience. He also believed that schools should support the values of the community. I feel that John Dewey paved the way for engaged learning and whole-brain teaching. For more information, visit http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/john.html. -
The Measurement Movement (IQ, Thorndike, Terman)
World War I greatly influenced the measurement movement because the military wanted a way to determine which men were best suited for which positions. This led to the discovery of some educational inadequacies. -
The Impact of WW2
World War II caused a shortage of teachers, due to military service, as well as a lack of educational funds. -
Brown vs. Board of Education, 1954
MOST IMPORTANT
Brown vs. Board of Education led to the Supreme Court decision that public education should not be segregated. Unfortunately, segregation did not just end with this decision. Many states tried to find ways around the Supreme Court's ruling. I feel that this paved the way for equal rights for all students. For more information, visit http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/history-brown-v-board-education-re-enactment. -
The Civil Rights Movement & The War on Poverty
During this time, President Johnson declared a "war on poverty". The government instituted community action programs to provide economic opportunities to help those in need. -
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, 1975
MOST IMPORTANT
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act allows each child the opportunity for free, appropriate, public education. Children with disabilities are provided appropriate services to support their educational needs. The IDEA not only allowed for accommodations for children with disabilities, it also helped educators realize the benefits of differentiating to meet the needs of all students. For more information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ -
A Nation at Risk Report, 1983
MOST IMPORTANT
This report, initiated by President Reagan, shifted the focus from providing equality to providing excellence in schools. This caused states to standardize the curriculum, raise graduation requirements, and increase testing for both students and teachers. I feel that this led to the development of many of the standards and assessments in our current school system. For more information, visit https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED226006. -
The Standards Movement
During the standards movement, national standards and assessments were created in a continued effort to improve the quality of public education. -
No Child Left Behind, 2001
No Child Left Behind established requirements that schools make adequate yearly progress or risk being restructured or even closed. -
School Choice Movement: Charter Schools, Vouchers
Parents wanted a way to provide their children with better educational opportunities. School vouchers and charter schools provided parents the opportunity to choose which school their children would attend.
