-
First Public School
The Boston Latin School was the first public school opened in the United States.
Source: The American Board, (July 1, 2015). American Board Blog, https://www.americanboard.org/blog/11-facts-about-the-history-of-education-in-america/ -
First Compulsory Law
Massachusetts passed the first compulsory school laws in 1852.
Source: Watson, S. (2019). How Stuff Works. InfoSpace Holdings LLC. https://people.howstuffworks.com/public-schools3.htm -
U.S. Education Growth
By 1870, all states had free elementary schools and the U.S. population had one of the highest literacy rates in the world.
Source: Singer, A. (September 7, 2016). HuffPost, Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/welcome-back-a-brief-hist_b_8098916.html -
Chalkboard
Installed in every classroom, the chalkboard was first invented around 1890 and was at first widely regarded as invaluable: related to page 186 of Those Who Can, Teach -
Purpose Of Schooling
In 1893 the Committee of Ten, a panel comprised of leading university educators, proposed that public high schools emphasize liberal arts education. Source: Singer, A. (September 7, 2016). HuffPost, Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/welcome-back-a-brief-hist_b_8098916.html -
Segregation in Schools
In 1896 the Plessy v. Ferguson decision upheld segregation in schools. Source: Singer, A. (September 7, 2016). HuffPost, Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/welcome-back-a-brief-hist_b_8098916.html -
Law Required School Attendance
By 1900, 31 states had compulsory school attendance for students from ages 8-14. Source:
The American Board, (July 1, 2015). American Board Blog, https://www.americanboard.org/blog/11-facts-about-the-history-of-education-in-america/ -
Pencils
Still used today, pencils became a pinnacle proponent in a classroom. The development of the pencil helped to show the eagerness for new developments in classrooms: related to page 186 of Those Who Can, Teach -
Diplomas In The U.S.
Despite educational developments, in 1910 only about 9% of Americans had a high school diploma -
Elementary Requirements
By 1918, all American children were required to attend at least elementary school. Source: The American Board, (July 1, 2015). American Board Blog, https://www.americanboard.org/blog/11-facts-about-the-history-of-education-in-america/ -
High School Pathways
By 1920 most urban high schools offered four high school tracks: college preparatory, commercial, vocational, and general. Source: Singer, A. (September 7, 2016). HuffPost, Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/welcome-back-a-brief-hist_b_8098916.html -
Radio Classes
Students within listening distance would have had access to on-air classes: related to page 186 of Those Who Can, Teach. -
Overhead Projector
The overhead projector was developed and allowed students to learn through motion picture: related to pages 186-187 of Those Who Can, Teach. -
Ballpoint Pen
The Ballpoint pen was developed in 1940. This provided students with new writing equipment in the classroom: related to page 186 of Those Who Can, Teach. -
Graduation Rate
by 1945, 51 percent graduated and 40 percent went on to college.
Source: Facing History And Ourselves, (2019). Facing History And Ourselves. https://www.facinghistory.org/books-borrowing/school-story-american-public-education -
Cold War Effects
In the 1950s expanded educational funding and opportunity was part of the Cold War. Source: Singer, A. (September 7, 2016). HuffPost, Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/welcome-back-a-brief-hist_b_8098916.html -
Videotapes
Videotapes were developed in 1951 providing a new and entertaining for of teaching and learning: related to page 187 of Those Who Can, Teach. -
Segregation in Schools Ended
The Supreme Court overturned its ruling on segregation with the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education, and public schools became open to people of all races. Source:
The American Board, (July 1, 2015). American Board Blog, https://www.americanboard.org/blog/11-facts-about-the-history-of-education-in-america/ -
Academic Improvements
Congress passes the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) to improve the study of math, science, and foreign languages in schools. Source: Werrel, B. (July 3, 2014). Connections Academy. 2018. https://blog.connectionsacademy.com/50-facts-and-events-in-u-s-education-history/ -
Photocopier
The photocopier allowed for mass production of assignments and materials for classes quickly: related to page 187 of Those Who Can, Teach -
Virtual Classrooms
While the Internet would not be created by the Department of Defense for another nine years, The University of Illinois created an Intranet for its students in 1960.: related to page 205 of Those Who Can, Teach -
Head Start
The Head Start program begins as a summer school program founded by Jule Sugarman. It is an educational preschool program for children from low-income families. Source: Werrel, B. (July 3, 2014). Connections Academy. 2018. https://blog.connectionsacademy.com/50-facts-and-events-in-u-s-education-history/ -
Handheld Calculator
The Calculator as we understand it now- handheld- was developed in 1972 and allowed for quick math results and assistance: related to page 187 of Those Who Can, Teach -
SchoolHouse Rock
The first episode of SchoolHouse Rock! airs. Source: Werrel, B. (July 3, 2014). Connections Academy. 2018. https://blog.connectionsacademy.com/50-facts-and-events-in-u-s-education-history/ -
Microcomputers
When microcomputers became affordable many new software products were introduced to education: page 187 of Those Who Can, Teach. -
SmartBoard
The first interactive whiteboard, which can connect to a computer, is introduced by SMART Technologies. Source: Werrel, B. (July 3, 2014). Connections Academy. 2018. https://blog.connectionsacademy.com/50-facts-and-events-in-u-s-education-history/ -
Multimedia Communication
when The National Science Foundation removed restrictions on the commercial use of the Internet communication via different media sources became possible: related to page 196 of Those Who Can, Teach. -
Apple Inc.
When Apple released Personal Digital Assistants computers became part of everyday life: related to page 190 of Those Who Can, Teach -
White Boards
Dry-erase boards, also called whiteboards, have been replacing many chalkboards in classrooms across the U.S. to eliminate chalk dust. Source: Werrel, B. (July 3, 2014). Connections Academy. 2018. https://blog.connectionsacademy.com/50-facts-and-events-in-u-s-education-history/ -
New Era Of Education
In 2001, the United States entered a new era of education accountability/reform with the institution of the No Child Left Behind law. Source:
The American Board, (July 1, 2015). American Board Blog, https://www.americanboard.org/blog/11-facts-about-the-history-of-education-in-america/ -
High School Dropouts
A 2002-03 study found that only about 70 percent of eligible high school seniors graduate from high school each year. This translates into about 1.2 million high school dropouts annually. Source: Watson, S. (2019). How Stuff Works. InfoSpace Holdings LLC.
https://people.howstuffworks.com/public-schools3.htm -
Social Media
Social Media is used frequently in schools now for reminders and school update. Facebook was developed in 2004 and Twitter was developed in 2007. Both are widely used throughout school systems.: related to page 196 of Those Who Can, Teach -
Increase In School Spending
Back in 1959, schools spent only $2,101 per student. In the 2007-08 school year, by comparison, schools will have spent nearly $10,000 per student. Source:
The American Board, (July 1, 2015). American Board Blog, https://www.americanboard.org/blog/11-facts-about-the-history-of-education-in-america/ -
Computers In Classrooms
By 2009 97% of classrooms had one or more computers available: related to page 191 of Those Who Can, Teach -
Online Courses
Students have the option to take online courses and this continues to develop and is presently a great option for students: related to page 205 of Those Who Can Teach