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Benjamin Franklin establishes the first "English Academy"
This is the beginning of higher education in the United States. This academy taught history, geography, navigation, surveying, and multiple languages. Since this is one of the few universities of it's time, only certain wealth classes could attend. This was also an era of discrimination for other races, so they were not allowed to possibly have or continue their education. -
The city of Salem is established in North Carolina
A protestant denomination called the Moravians established the town, and Salem College was also erected. This was a small liberal arts college for girls. This showed that women were being offered access to education in the earlier years. -
The Young Ladies Academy
In 1793 Antoine Lavoisier presented a national plan for girls to attend primary and elementary schools. This paved the way for the Young Ladies Academy to open in Philadelphia. These ideas were considered revolutionary in the steps of equalizing education. Women studied reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, composition, and much more. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln signed into law that slaves were to be freed in 10 states. Although this did not grant citizenship, or outlaw slavery completely, it gave hope to those who had been enslaved. This changed education because more diversity could be welcomed, into schools and the community. -
Howard University
Howard University in Washington D.C., opens education to African American youth. They offered liberal arts and sciences as subjects to learn, and the Freedmen's Bureau offered support financially. This began equalizing more education for those of different races. Providing more opportunities for women and African Americans, changed how society viewed equality in education. -
Meharry Medical College
The first medical school in the Nashville, Tennesse is opened for African Americans in the south. This educational opportunity was opening up more job opportunities for African Americans. They were now welcomed a chance to engage and study in a profession of higher standing. -
Ella Flag Young
Ella Flag Young becomes the first superintendent of a large city school system. She is a well known educational reformer for the Chicago Public Schools. A year later she goes on to be elected as president of the National Education Association. Her role as an elected official equalized women in power, and made a difference in education. -
The beginning of The Great Depression
Due to a stock market crash, the United States entered the period of Great Depression which affected education by cutting funding, closing schools, teachers being laid off, and lower salaries. Education for everyone of every background suffered greatly, and this slowed down improvements and reforms for education. -
Alvarez vs. The Board of Trustees
In the Lemon Grove School district they were separating Mexican American students into a separate school. Roberto Alvarez became the first person to have a successful court case of desegregation. The local court forbid "Americanization" schools for Mexican American students. This protected the rights to education for students with immigrant parents. -
Cuban Revolution
After the Cuban revolution more immigrant students arrived in the U.S. especially Miami, Florida. Due to the language barrier, Coral Way Elementary School became the first school to open bilingual and bicultural public schools in the U.S. This introduced the idea of immersion for students of immigrant decent, and welcomed culture into education and new ways of learning with the growing population.
