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Massachusetts Act of 1642
The Massachusetts Act was created as one of the first laws for schools to follow in colonies. Before they created this law, parents were in charge of deciding how much education their child were to receive. The act helped to put more of focus on education for children. One of the main reasons this act was created was due to the puritans. The puritans thought that education needed to be in the hands of the government. Parents could lose custody of their children if they did not attend school. -
Schools for African Americans/ Native Americans
The schools first opened in New York in 1704. The schools were started by Elias Neau. Neau would often speak out and discuss slavery. He also believed that slaves were behind in education. He went to the church of England to help make the change and they appointed him to be a teacher for slaves. -
Benjamin Franklin's Academy
Benjamin Franklin started the private secondary school called the Philadelphia Academy. The school replaced latin grammar schools that had a new focus on the curriculum. At the academy the curriculum focused taught English instead of Latin and emphasized classes that taught practical knowledge and skills that the students would need. -
State Supported Common Schools
The first state supported common school opened in 1821. The common school was a high school in Boston. The supporters of starting the schools were generally from the city, workers, and did not pay taxes. On the other hand the non-supporters lived in rural areas that did pay for taxes. Also private schools were not in favor of new common schools opening. -
Sarah Pierce's Female Academy
In the beginning colleges focused mainly on men until Sarah Piece created her Litchfield Female Academy. The academy or college started in her living room and overtime expanded. The academies curriculum focused on practical knowledge and skills. After women became better educated this led to them being more involved and standing up for their rights in politics. -
Kindergarten
Kindergarten which actually means " garden where children grow" started to come more into focus during the civil war. Kindergartens help children to learn motor and developmental skills before the children were to go to elementary schools for more education. Froebel helped to create a new curriculum that focused on child-centered materials. The first U.S. kindergarten was opened in 1855 by Margarethe Schurz which she taught in German to the children in her neighborhood. -
Normal Schools
The first normal school opened on July 3rd in 1839. The main focus of the school was on general knowledge classes and pedagogy. The normal schools were opened to teach future teachers. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
Justin S. Morrill led the Morrill Land Grant Act in 1862. The act was created to provide funds for education. Morrill made sure land was given to schools so they could sell the land for funding to help the schools. The money made by selling or renting land went to several schools such as agriculture and mechanical arts. Over the course of the act over $7.5 was given to universities for selling 17 million acres. The act also helped the federal government to become more involved in education. -
Maria Montessori's Method
Maria Montessori focused on creating an environment that was fit for children and their level of readiness. The children needed to be able to learn at their own pace and skills. The teacher provide the students with materials and it is left up to the students to decide how and when to use them. By 1915, Marie Montessori's style of learning schools had spreading all over the U.S. -
G.I. Bill of Rights
The G.I. Bill of Rights also known as the Serviceman's Readjustable Act was created to help veterans help pay for their schooling. The bill helped pay not just for their tuition but also room and board and more. The bill helped many to attend college and change the atmosphere for many colleges.