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Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School, in Massachusetts, was the first public secondary school open in the United States. Today it remains the nation's oldest public school. The school still teaches a "contemporary classical education." -
Common Schools
Common schools educated students of all ages in one room with one teacher. Students did not attend these schools for free parents paid tuition, provided housing for the school teacher, or contributed other materials in exchange for their children to attend the school. -
Teachers' Union
The National Teachers Association was created. It gave education a united front, starting with 100 members. Today it is call the National Education Association and has more than 3.2 million members. -
Forced Schooling
Native American children were forced to attend boarding schools. They were required to speak English and attend church. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioAzggmes8c -
Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court's ruling in Plessy successfully established the rule that "separate" facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as along as they were "equal." This introduced a legally authorized racial segregation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldd0PLPG3E0 -
Free Public Schools
All states have laws requiring mandatory school attendance for children through elementary school. -
Moral Education
Between 20% and 40% of schools across the country begin teaching sex education. Some schools called it "moral education." Courses become even more widespread over the next three decades. -
Private School
The Supreme Court ruling finds that children can't be forced to attend public school and can attend private schools instead. -
Female Teachers
The Suffrage Movement established equality between men and women. This allowed women to take up the position of teaching. Women were able to take the role of teaching without discrimination or being looked down upon. -
School Lunch
National School Lunch Act expands access to school lunch by making low-cost or free lunches for low-income students. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The decision reverses Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that separate is not equal, and outlaws segregation. The decision showed that the racial segregation of children in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX9Dmo24_cc -
Banning Prayer
The Supreme Court ruling in Engel v. Vitale bans organized prayer in public schools. The following year, reading the Bible is banned. -
Standardized Testing
Standardized testing is used to measure a schools performance. The federal government takes a larger role in supporting schools and wants them to be held accountable. -
Girl Athletics
Title IX of the Education Amendments forbids discrimination based on sex, but becomes know most for legislating equal treatment and opportunity for girls in school athletics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldd0PLPG3E0 -
No Child Left Behind Act
Signed into law by President George W. Busch. This Act set new government test standards that students much reach or school district may face federal assistance money. This program helps disadvantaged students reach the same goals as advanced students.
