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*First Education Law
The English Puritan of Massachusetts established the first education law because they believed education was part of a person's well-being and a literate colony was necessary for its success. Selectman were then sent from town to town to see if parents and masters were providing an education and what was being taught. The first education law established a compulsory education which is still in use today. http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=113 -
Puritan's Religious Influence
The Puritans believed that learning to read and understand principles of religion and the law of colonies were of the highest priority. It was thought that to be illiterate was the work of Satan trying to keep man from the scriptures. -
*Jefferson's Bill for More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Jefferson's plan for the state's education system would propose universal, free, and public elementary school for three years. He believed that the survival of the newly signed declaration would be dependent on good schooling. This idea is still impacting education today because we hold the same belief of public education being essential to democracy.
https://www.coursera.org/learn/ageofjefferson/lecture/mlmIn/a-bill-for-the-more-general-diffusion-of-knowledge -
Educational Innovations of Colonial Times
Three big ideas that came as education innovations were monitoral, Sunday, and infant school. The one that is still in use today is Sunday school, only because it was adopted by religions as a mean of conversion in the 1830s. -
Noah Webster's Blue-Backed Speller
Webster wanted to create a distinct language and curriculum which promoted cultural independence. The Blue-back speller he wrote taught three important things, how to divide syllables, pronounce words, and use correct spelling. -
*Impact of Horace Mann: The "Father of American Education"
Mann was a key spokesman for the common school movement and pushed for an increase in public support and awareness of problems facing schools. He believed that every child had the right to an education but it was the state's responsibility to provide. A key influence he had on future generations was that education being provided by trained professionals which lead to normal schools. http://www.biography.com/people/horace-mann-9397522 -
Establishment of Kindergarten
The man who played a big role in kindergarten was Friedrich Froebel. He believed instruction should center on the child and offer self-development though self-expression. -
*Catherine Beecher and the Common School
Beecher founded the Hartford Female Seminary and the Western Institute for Women. She dedicated the early part of her career to the promotion of education for women and the start of the education profession. Her influence on education was to promote a change. She wanted to give women a profession that was just as importance as a male profession. This idea is parallel to problems we face today for equal pay. http://connecticuthistory.org/catharine-beecher-champion-of-womens-education/ -
End of Civil War
Slavery was abolished and a whole race was to be educated. Congress made it the states responsibility to offer free, non-segregated schools. -
Committee of Ten
A committee appointed by the National Education Association (NEA) with the responsibility of creating a standardized curriculum for high school students who were college bound. -
Impact of John Dewey: the "Father of Progressivism"
Proposed education be focused on the whole child, fostering a better environment for children. School would start to use the model work-study-play to create a rich school experience. -
*Brown v. Board of Education
One of the biggest United States Supreme Court cases arguing that separating black and white students in public schools is unconstitutional. The vote was unanimous in turning over Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal" decision. This ruling gave momentum for civil rights movement and education reforms today, ultimately ensuring education for all children. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
National Defense Education Act (NDEA)
The goal of the NDEA was to provide funding for American schools to meet the demand of current national security needs. This act was pushed forward after the launch of Sputnik in an attempt to have an educational program which would meet our national defense needs. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA would provide a free appropriate public education. Currently there are 6 pillars of IDEA, individualized education programs, free appropriate public education, least restrictive environment, appropriate evaluation, parent and teacher participation, and procedural safeguards. -
No Child Left Behind
NCLB would hold schools accountable for students outcomes. The idea came from the concern over the United States losing its international competitiveness.
