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Dame (Primary) Schools
The emergence of Dame Schools filled the requirement for children to enter the town school, which was the ability to read by the age of eight. Dame schools were the forerunners of what we know today as an elementary school in its curriculum of the alphabet and readiness for the student to advance to the next school, at least for the students lucky enough to remain in school rather than leaving for household duties or apprenticeship. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The momentous Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education brought an end to "separate but equal." This decision desegregated schools in an effort to bring better, quality education to the African American population. On an even footing in academics was the beginning of closing the achievement gap between white students and African American students. -
Special Education
The court decisions in Pennsylvania (1971) and the District of Columbia (1972) paved the way for children with disabilities to receive a free and proper education. Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975. This Act was a big step for families of children with disabilities as it allowed the students to included in regular classes; eventually these students would be taught in the least restrictive environment (LRE). -
A Nation at Risk
A Nation at Risk is a report that brought to light the fact that the United States was no longer on top globally in terms of tests, not enough science and math courses being taken by students, and low critical thinking skills. This report, and those behind it, advocated for higher expectations for students while encompassing a more demanding academic curriculum. -
No Child Left Behind
Passed by Congress in 2001 and signed by President Bush in 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act was the first serious attempt to hold states, districts, and schools accountable to fix the achievement gaps between different student populations. Elementary grades have shown overall consistent achievement gains in reading and math with a reduced gap between white and African American students and between white and Latino students.
