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Puritans
Mayflower anchors in harbor.
The Puritans coming over on the Mayflower made their religious beliefs the prominant focus in education. Later the new republic was formed declaring separation of church and state would do little to deter religious tones in education for many decades. -
The first College
Harvard is established the first college and firs institute of higher education in the new world. -
Revolutionary War
The signing of the Treaty of Paris officially ends the war and America is free to go about establishing their nation. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Sets aside first lands in the new nation for the maintenance of public schools. -
First High School
Boston English High School opens. The first public high school. -
Female Education
The first school of higher education for women founded by Catherine Beecher, the Hartford Female Seminary -
Horace Mann
Horace Mann is elected to serve as secretary of the new Massachusetts Board of Education. He strongly promoted free universal public education. He was responsible for creating common schools. He greatly influenced our profession by devloping teacher training schools. Mt Holyoke Female Seminary also opened in 1837 it was the first college for women. In 1839 the first 'Normal School" opened it was the first state funded school, its purpose was solely teacher education. -
The Land Grant Act
Gave public lands for sale so at least one college could be established in every state. Our state colleges can trace their beginning to the enactment of the act. The Civil War which began in 1861 put most education progress on hold. -
First African American College/Department of Education
Howard University, a college to educate African Americans becomes a reality when the charter is approved and signed by President Andrew Johnson. In that same year the Department of Education was created to over see the "land grant' state colleges. It still exists today and shapes policy in our nations schools. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
The ruling in this case stated that separate did not mean unequal and that separate education and facilites for blacks did not mean inequality. The result of this decision was the continuation of segregation and open discrimination of African Americans. It continued the practice of their recieving inferior education. -
Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education
The decision in this case reversed Plessy vs. Ferguson declaring separate educational facilities for blacks was not equal. Law required the integration of all schools. This was important for education more for the harm it caused rather than the good it did. Forced integration and bussing caused white families to flee to the suburbs leaving behind poorer black children to make up nearly the entire compostition of urban schools with were very poorly funded, not equal and still not integrated. -
Sputnik
The launch of Sputnik by the Soviets was a huge embarassment for the United States. This affected education because a reform was started to insure American students were learning math, science, and engineering. -
Civil Rights Act
Granted equal rights to African Americans, equal protection under the law, and aimed at completely finishing the segregation of schools. -
ESEA
Increased federalization of education included head start, free lunches, special education students. This had a huge impact on education because schools were now required to enroll and teach those with learning disabilities. The budgets were also affected because schools were now actively fighting poverty and giving the underprivilaged better education. -
PL 94-142
Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This act required schools to all physically challenged students a fair and appropriate public education. This put a big strain on schools and teachers who were not trained in special education and now having an influx of students with specialized needs. Currently this act is the driving influence on completely mainstreaming student with special needs. -
No Child Left Behind
A very complex law that is having a huge impact on schools by requiring certain minimal standards be set. And if the school districts do not meet these standards, they may be taken over. They may see their federal dollars reduced and teachers may lose their jobs. The emphasis on achieving standards has led to an environment of cramming and rote memorization so students can pass the tests.
