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MOST IMPORTANT Massachusetts Law of 1642
The founding fathers soon recognized the need for education in society. They knew that in order to maintain a free nation, the public had to have access to at least the basics of reading, writing, and simple arithmetic. The Massachusetts Law of 1642 stated that it was the selctmens job to ascertain whether parents and masters were providing education, and to see what was being taught. https://www3. Massachussetts Law of 1642 -
MOST IMPORTANT 1642 Education Laws continued...
MOST IMPORTANT
These laws are still important today because they set in motion the importance of education in a free society. Education truly is power, and a nation that doesnt care about being educated is a nation that will not be free for long. The founding fathers understood this. Even though the original laws had much room for improvement, they paved the way for everything that came later.
https://www3.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/masslaws.html -
New England Primer
First published between 1687 and 1690, the Primer became the first 'text' book used by the early colonists. Heavily influenced by the religious views of the day, the Primer often used stories from scriptures to help students learn the alphabet and other lessons. Many Puritans of the time believed that not being able to read was a trick used by the devil, preventing you from being able to read the Bible. New England Primer -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson believed in a free education for all. He recognized that public education was essential to democracy. In 1779 he proposed "A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge." Although not very popular at the time, this idea of free education for all helped strengthen further education movements into action. -
Noah Webster/Blue-backed speller
Noah Webster was a true Revolutionary, and seeked to illiminate british textbooks from american classrooms. He created the Elementary Spelling Book or 'Blue-backed Speller' which helped standardize an american way of spelling. Schools used it at textbooks and pioneer families used it to teach their children. Nicknamed the "Schoolmaster of America", Noah went on to create the dictionary that is still commonly known today simply as 'Websters.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Webster -
Rate Bill abolished
In 1827 Massachusetts became the first state to abolish the 'rate-bill'. The rate bill required that families pay a small fee based on the number of children sent to school. Abolishing this bill was important because many families at this time could not afford to send their kids to school. This led the way for many other states to follow, with New Jersey becoming the last in 1871.
http://education101intrototeaching.pbworks.com/w/page/10104852/The%20Common%20School%20Movement -
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Immigration
Population from 1830-1860 rose from 13 to 32 million. Four million of this was from immigration. With millions of immigrants coming to America, many for jobs, there were also many children. This required many more schools, teachers, and a hard look at what would be the best way to educate these future leaders of America. http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1999/3/99.03.01.x.html -
Horace Mann
In !837, Horace Mann left his successful law practice to become the first Secretary of Education. Known as the "Father of American Education", he recognized free public school as "the great equalizer." He believed that education would help eliminate poverty and crime. He recommended chairs with backs, blackboards, and standardized text books. He pushed hard to standardize everything regarding schools.
Horace Mann -
Friedrich Froebel
Friedrich Froebel recognized that the primary aim for children should be self-development through self-expression. He was more concerned with activity than observation, and eventually helped establish the first kindergarten. At the time his ideas seemed radical, but he was persistent in the idea that engaging in activity is the best way to learn about the world. He helped establish ideas that persist even today. http://infed.org/mobi/fredrich-froebel-frobel/ -
Sarah Roberts vs Boston
Sarah Roberts was a 5 year old African American girl who's father attempted to place in white schools. Turned down time and time again, Sarah's father saught legal action. Sarah was listed as the plaintiff, and the city of Boston as the defendant. The case made its way to the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, but ruled in favor of Boston on the grounds of "separate but equal" rights. In 1855 the first law prohibiting segregated schools was created.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/2 -
MOST IMPORTANT Compulsory Education continued
Deseret News Compulsory Education is still important today because we as imperfect humans often need a little push to do what is good for us. I believe education should be looked at as an opportunity as well as an obligation. As citizens of a free nation, its our obligation to become responsible, intelligent and informed, so we can continue to have a voice. -
MOST IMPORTANT Compulsory Education
Enacted by Massachusetts, the compulsory attendance act of 1852 was the first law seeking to make it mandatory that children attend school. Complete with penalties for noncompliance but no way to enforce it at first, this and other compulsory attendance laws have since been created and ammended. By 1918 all states had adopted some form of compulsory attendence law. This was a big movement in the support of restricting child labor and helping educate the youth of a nation.
https://www3.nd.edu/~r -
G. Stanley Hall
G. Stanley Hall was the first American awarded a Ph.D in Psychology. One of his primary interests was childhood development. In 1884(-ish) he brought together scholars interested in the scientific study of children through observation. His findings and theories helped lead to educational and developmental psychology. John Dewey studied under him, and he brought Sigmund Freud to speak at Clark University.
http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesal/p/g-stanley-hall.htm -
Cardinal Principles
The 7 Cardinal Principles were issued in order to form objectives for secondary education. They actually began forming in 1915 but were not finished until 1918. Desinged to teach personal responsibility and initiative, the principles focused on aspects of health, basic reading and writing, and even civic education. Most of these can still be found in teaching today, although they arent still usually referred to as the 7 Cardinal Prinicples.
http://schugurensky.faculty.asu.edu/moments/1918card -
Sputnik
On October 4 1957 at 7:28 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into space. The American nation suddenly became concerned with the math and science in our schools. Congress responded a year later with the National Defense Education Act, which increased funding for education. The launch of Sputnik helped fast-forward improvements in math and science in public schools.
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/10/how-sputnik-changed-u-s-education/ -
MOST IMPORTANT Sputnik
continued... America loves competition. Maybe we just like feeling like the best. The launch of soviet satellite Sputnik seemed to help fuel the American desire to win. It seems like we couldnt understand how it was possible that we were not the first nation to enter space. Education came into the picture because we recognized the need for a stronger and earlier science/math curriculum. This competition continues to drive high standards.
http://www.nas.edu/sputnik/bybee2.htm -
MOST IMPORTANT Vocational Education Act
continued... This act remains important today because there are so many people who benefit from learning a trade/skill before graduating high school. Where I grew up half the school was dedicated to providing a vocational education for the many students not interested in going to college. Being able to learn a trade (mostly free) helps provide a strong workforce, creating skilled experienced workers ready for jobs.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs/web/95024-2.asp -
MOST IMPORTANT Vocational Education Act
The Vocational Education Act of 1963 more than quadrupled federal funds for vocational education. Vocational education being taught in high school has become increasingly popular over the years. It helps teach students a craft or trade that enables them to enter the work force upon high school graduation. Whether these students attend college or not, they enter adulthood with a useful skill.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocational_education_in_the_United_States -
MOST IMPORTANT IDEA (1975) continued
IDEA has been amended several times since its creation. Students that were normally separated from their peers are now taught in the Least Restrictive Environment. This has proven good for all parties involved; not just the individual student but for the whole classroom. Requiring teachers with specialized training helps maximize the effectiveness of instruction.
https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/how-idea-protects-you-and-your-child -
MOST IMPORTANT Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
Amended many times since its creation, this Act has helped improve the lives of millions of people. It ensured that those with a disability would receive a free public education. Before this act, many families of children with a disability were unable to pay for expensive specialized instruction. This act has enabled those beforehand labeled as unteachable to become contributing members of society.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuals_with_Disabilities_Education_Act -
A Nation at Risk
President Ronald Reagans "imperative for educational reform." This was a landmark report in educational reform, leading to increased emphasis on certain curriculum, teaching-training, and even lengthened school day and year. It also helped create a redistribution of power to parents and educators; looked at as "a bottom-up change."
https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/risk.html -
No Child Left Behind
This Act proposed and signed into law by President Bush, looked at setting high standards and establishing measurable goals in order to improve individual outcomes in education. Some argue that it provides more sanctions than resources. It sets standards for math and reading, measuring progress for proficiency by testing. States are required to show Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act
