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First Education Laws are established in Massachusetts
MOST IMPORTANTIn 1642, people were selected from each township to determine whether parents/masters were failing to provide education for students/apprentices. If children were not being provided an education, they could be given to a new master who would comply with the law.
Soon, towns of 50 were required to provide a teacher of reading and writing. Towns of 100 were required to have a grammar school. These laws eventually shaped the country and showed just how important Education was from America's birth. -
Jefferson's Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Thomas Jefferson's bill brought about a system of public schools that provided students with basic education. Subjects and skills taught related to government, public safety, and (the pursuit) of happiness. Each county would provide elementary schools supported by taxes. Attendance was free. -
Noah Webster publishes the Blue-Backed Speller
Noah Webster publishes his most influential text book and one of the most important text books of all-time. The first of a three volume set, this book contained political, patriotic and moral content. It also contained lessons on honest work, property rights, value of currency and industry, dangers of drink and economic statuses. -
Horace Mann is appointed to the Board of Education
MOST IMPORTANT Horace Mann's Education Reform enacted princiiples and education standards that are still frequently used today. Mann required that schools were equiped with texbooks, chairs that had backs to them, and chalkboards. Besides these material items, Mann also enacted teacher training, free tax-supported education in the North, standardized aspects, and a leveling effect. -
Rise of Common Schools
MOST IMPORTANTA system of common schools came about from the mid-1830's to 1840's. This allowed public schools to exist for ALL children, in spite of their social glass, gender, religion or country of origin. This didn't mean that minorites went to school with whites, but rather that they had a school of their own. These schools taught the three R's (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic). -
Committee of Ten
A group of educators were formed in the late 1800s to create standardized high school curriculum. Twelve years of education were recommended (8 years of elementary, 4 of high school) and every subject was to be tuaght the same way to every student. -
The Gary Plan is introduced
William Wirt, a superintendent of schools, began a plan (the Gary Plan) that encountered a lot of political scrutinity at the time. Students would be divided into two groups. The former going into academic classrooms, while the latter used the hands-on areas (gym, auditorium, etc.). This plan allowed all the facilities to be in constant use and developed various skills (besides the strictly intellectual side of things). -
Brown vs. Board of Education
MOST IMPORTANT! This was the supreme court case that changed the landscape of America forever. The end result made desegregation unconstitutional and began to crush the "seperate but equal" outlook on Education. As a result, black students were allowed to attend white schools. Other laws that sprung forth can be attributed back to the Brown case busting the dam of prejudice. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Arguably the most important Civil Rights bill (of many) to be passed, this could be seen partially as a result of Brown vs The Board of Education's ruling. This Act lawfully ended discrimination based on race, color, sex, etc. Though discrimination still exists today, it's effectively unconstitutional. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
One of the biggest Education laws ever. This bill, signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson, was part of the "War on Poverty." The act is constantly revised every five years (setting up a constant system of change in Education). Its main function is also to fund elementary and secondary public schools -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This was another discrimination ending act in that students with disabilities would be provided a free public education. However, there was more to sweeten the deal than simply that. Instead of receiving a "normal" education which might be lost on them, they would receive education tailored to their individual needs and wants. -
A Nation at Risk
An article about the results of A Nation at Risk. Though some might see other acts as far more important and history-changing, I feel that Reagan's view of education is what shaped the public eye on school and testing to the point where it is today. This is not for the better though as Reagan seemed to take a "blame the teachers, we need more tests" route to far more complicated problems. -
No Child Left Behind Act
George Bush's reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This took a further "blame the teachers, test more" route and upped the competitive pay side of things. Instead of being No Child Left Behind, it was more like No Child Left Untested to their breaking point. -
Adoption of Common Core Standards
This was a movement by the NGA and CCSSO to establish common standards across all schools in the country. Education experts in various fields collaborated to came together to create a bullet-point list of required knowledge/skills for each subject. Though it has been met with controversy for its somewhat convoluted structure (its a new system), many states have implemented Common Core Standards in their schools. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
The most recent piece of legislation to drastically shake up the Educational world. We have yet to see how the landscape will shift, but its guaranteed to be less restrictive than No Child Left Behind as Barack Obama has given power back to the states. It might be a case of same stuff, new boss. However, this seems unlikely given the recent controversy and media attention towards over-testing.
