History of Public Education

  • During the times of the 13 colonies, only larger towns in New England were required to build schools.

  • Horace Mann introduces school system the revolutionizes Education.

  • A law is passed to allow integrated schools in Massachusetts

  • 50% of children were in school

  • Schools had been opening at an all time rate.

  • With the Great Depression, a federal law was finally passed that banned child labor. All schools required attendance.

  • Arkansas Governor calls out National Guard, rather than allowing 9 African Americans to integrate into a High School

  • The Civil Rights Act states schools will lose federal funding if they refuse to desegregate their schools.

  • The federal government published new teaching materials in 70 languages and allocated $68 million for bilingual programs.

  • Nearly the entire school-age population was enrolled

  • A small number of low income students were allowed to attend private school at taxpayers expense.

  • By this time the education industry was worth $300 billion a year.