History of Education

Boston Latin School was founded

1635

Boston Latin School is the first public school, and it is the oldest existing school in the United States. Schools in New England taught children tasks that were initially taught in the home by parents. These first schools made way for private high schools, now called "prep schools," that remain prestigious to this day.

Land Ordinance of 1785

May 20, 1785

The is was a system where settlers could buy land in the West. It laid the foundation for the Homestead Act. It was particularly significant because it established a way of funding public education. Section 16 of each township was reserved for public schools; this was always near the center of the town. Source

Benjamin Rush's Death

Apr 19, 1813

Benjamin Rush was a founding father that greatly influenced education. He educated over 3,000 medical students and advocated for the education of women. Source

Horace Mann appointed Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education

1837

Horace Mann is known as the father of the Common School Movement. He advocated for public education because he believed it should be universal and free and promote civic virtue and character.

Committee of Ten

1892

This was a collection of educators that aimed to set standards across all American high schools. Different schools, communities, and districts had different philosophies on teaching, so the committee made recommendations for several subjects including math, science, and English. The committee also suggested, like many other times in history, to have more qualified teachers. Source

John Dewey's first book on education, My Pedagogic Creed, was published

1897

John Dewey's theories on education greatly influenced current views and methods of teaching. Dewey argued that education and learning are social and interactive processes. He also believed that students thrive in an environment where they are allowed to experience and interact with the curriculum, and all students should have the opportunity to take part in their own learning. Source

Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944 (G.I. Bill)

Jun 22, 1944

This bill was made to aid/benefit World War II veterans. Veterans had access to tuition and living expenses to attend high school, college, and vocational/technical school. Millions took advantage of this opportunity to go back to school. Source

Brown vs. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This was a Supreme Court ruling that unanimously ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Separate is "inherently unequal." This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT moments, not just in education history but in U.S. history, because it was crucial in the civil rights movement. It also paved the way for more progressive decisions to help make our country more accepting and equal.
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Sputnik Launch

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik. It was the world's first artificial satellite. This marked the start of the space race between the U.S. and the USSR. Source

National Defense Education Act (NDEA)

Sep 2, 1958

NDEA was influence by the launch of Sputnik one year prior. The U.S. feared that the education in the USSR was superior. This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT events in education history because it cause teachers and students to both focus more heavily on math, science, technology/computer science, and engineering. More students chose to go to college because there were financial aid/loans available. Source

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

1965

This act was signed by Lyndon B. Johnson and caused the nation's government to invest more in the students it was educating. It focused particularly on the nation's poorest students. It was meant to enforce states and school districts to send federal dollars to areas with the highest concentration of poverty. Source

Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act

Nov 30, 1975

Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), formerly known as Education for All Handicapped Children Act, provided kids with disabilities the opportunity to learn. This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT events in education history because before it only 1 of 5 children with disabilities were accommodated before the act. Exposure to different children allows kids to understand and accept difference. Source

A Nation at Risk

1983

A Nation at Risk was a report that found that performance of students in U.S. schools was dropping. Because of this, the committee made 38 recommendations categorized under Content, Standards and Expectations, Time, Teaching, Leadership and Fiscal Support. This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT events in education history because it opened up the conversation about education and how to improve it. It allowed tax credits for tuition payments. Source

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

2001

No Child Left Behind Act, proposed by George W. Bush, supported standard-based education reform. It wanted goals established for students to be both high and measurable. This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT events in education history because it established funds for Title I schools. It also stressed the importance of annual testing (standardized tests), report cards, and high teacher qualifications. Source

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Dec 10, 2015

This was an act signed by President Barack Obama the relinquished some of the power over education from the federal government and gave it back to the states. This now allows states to set their own goals. Students are still tested annually during grades 3 through 8, but high schools can now choose to administer nationally recognized tests (such as the SAT or ACT). Source