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Southern Colonies
people live far apart; slaves from Africa imported; no centralized
schools; education for wealthy only.
- This is an important piece od history because it gives the background of how our society ran in the 1600s. There was racial prejudices, and the wealthy could do as they pleased. -
Colonial America
Teacher Training: no special training; not a prestigious occupation; viewed teaching jobs as temporary; job
often connected with a church and had duties there as well.
- This is important because it is our first real glimpse at a sort of structure and title of a teacher. Little did these teachers know that some 400 years later, they would be looked at as the first to begin the never-ending trend of being a teacher. -
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin establishes American Academy; first academy in the US to create skilled workers; taught kids who weren't being educated in college prep schools; private schools; admitted girls; trained teachers.
- This event was HUGE to the coming about of our modern day school systems. It focused on one aspect like jobs, and trained those students that weren't able to attend school to become skilled in a trade. -
Noah Webster
He wrote the new speller book for students, alphabet,syllables, consonants, word lists, rules for speaking, moral advice; stories taught five generations of children in
the United States how to spell and read, and his name became synonymous with "dictionary"
- I chose this historical event not only because of how well known the Webster dictionary is, but becasue I found it interesting that Noah Webster wrote a new curriculum for the students of five generations. He changed the way we learn. -
NorthWest Ordinance
Northwest Ordinance passes and establishes schools in the Northwest Territory… "religion, morality &
knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind"
- This was the beginning of school systems in the North West region of the states. Soon school systems were going to spread state wide, -
Massachusettes
first American high school formed, 3-yr courses in English, math, science, history, philosophy, chemistry, logic,
French.
- This began the standards and guidelines for highschools arounf the country, and still to this day. It was important because it showed students structure and the importnace of education. -
Vermont: Reverend Hall
first teacher training institution (normal school) in US; private school; entered right after elementary school;
subjects similar to high school; did some student teaching.
- Important because it began an influenza of teacher training, and set the bar for teaching in the era. -
Wisconsin: Margarethe Meyer Schurz
Founded first kindergarten in US, based on German model.
- Important because it was the first time the younger children were implemented into a school system with structure. -
Pennsylvania
first of 26 Indian boarding schools established to assimilate Native American children into the mainstream
culture; the schools leave a controversial legacy.
- Crucial to our history because of the controversie that followed. Many Native Americans suffered from being dragged into American centered school systems. There was no sensitivity to there different beliefs or spiritual background. -
USA
major population increase = need for more teachers; teacher ed programs expanded to 3-4 years; state
teachers' colleges began awarding baccalaureate degrees, added secondary education to teacher training.
- This is historical in my opinion because it shows us the progression of education for teachers, The standards kept raising, and even today they are continually changing. -
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
Decision required racial integration of public schools. And what followed was much retaliation.
-This has to be, in my eyes, one of the most historical events that has occured in our school systems. It was truly the beginning of a long road to equality for all students, no amtter there race, or religion. -
USA: Congress
Education for Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) requires local districts to provide education for
children with special needs, children in special ed programs increased from 310,000 to 4,641,000.
- It is common for people to overlook the special needs school history,but this was the most memorable. Special needs babies were no longer put into institutions, they were given a chance to learn and progress. -
USA: Supreme Court
Rules a Louisiana law mandating balanced treatment of evolution and creationism in public schools as a form
of government establishment of religion in violation of the First Amendment.
- This was the first time, really, that a religious matter had been questioned. Schools were no longer able to get away with anything now that parents were mroe involved. -
USA: Supreme Court
Rules that officially sanctioned prayers or invocations at public school events are unconstitutional.
- Because of the whole evolution/creationism debate, much of religious content in school systems were revoked or questioned, Even severe as no longer pledging allegience to the flag. This was major news since nothing of the sort had ever been an issue. -
USA: Congress
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) passes to hold states more accountable for student performance based
on annual assessments but gives schools more flexibility in meeting federal regulations.
- This event was important because it helped teachers keep up with students that were falling behind and helped to prevent leaving a child behind. -
Alabama
First state to require public schools to check the immigration status of students; however, undocumented
children are not denied admission.
-This was important becasue Alabama was the first ever to require documentation, and even more, regardless of documentation students could be enrolled.
