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The First Latin Grammar School is Opened
Boston Latin School
The first Latin school was opened in Boston, Massachusetts on April 23, 1635. It essentially is the oldest school in America. The curriculum was centered in the humanities, often following what the ancients Greeks believed. This was a basis for the many schools that now exist today. The link provided goes directly to the school's website where you can search and learn more about its history! -
Harvard College Founded
In 1636, the first college in the American Colonies was founded. The Massachusetts Bay Court and Governor committee funded enough money to establish this institution. Later on, it would be officially named Harvard University. Watch this quick video for more information! Youtube -
The First "Speller"
Noah Webster was the first person to create a dictionary and permanently change the way of American spelling and English. In 1783, his spelling book was published followed by a "grammar" and a "reader" in 1784 and 1785. To learn more about Noah Webster's history, watch this video!
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The First Academy for Girls Opens
John Poor helped create the Young Ladies' Academy of Philadelphia in the year 1787. It became the first chartered all-female academy in the United States some years later. It was actually located about a half-mile from where the Constitution was written. This school was one of the first recognized by a state government. Go to this page for more historical information on the Academy!
The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia -
Plessy V. Ferguson
The Supreme Court gave their verdict to the case of Plessy v. Ferguson. It was decided that "separate-but-equal" facilities were constitutional. The Court decided that the protections of the 14th Amendment only would apply to political and civil rights. This affected schools into believing that segregating colored students was not violating the Constitution.
See this History webpage for more information.
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John Dewey
In 1916, John Dewey published a book called Democracy and Education. It was written to highlight the consequences that the world war, civil war, and other world changes had on the fundamentals of education. Dewey had many opinions and ideas that fundamentally changed the field of education. Read further about Dewey and his philosophies!
GraduateWay -
Brown v. Board of Education
Youtube This video gives not only information about the Brown v. Board of Education case, but it also gives background information leading up to it.
This case is actually a combination of 5 different cases which the Supreme Court decided to put together: Brown v. Board of Education, Briggs v. Elliot, Davis v. Board of Education of Prince Edward County, Bolling v. Sharpe, and Gebhart v. Ethel. This was a fight to desegregate schools. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson passed this law during his "War on Poverty". It emphasized high standards and accountability by funding primary and secondary education. It also represented the commitment to giving people equal access to having a quality education. Read more on this webpage!
VCU Social Welfare History Project -
Title IX
Youtube
As stated in this video, Title IX was a "federal legislation that prohibited sex discrimination in educational programs and settings." This was a main part of the civil rights movement. It established that every person, man or woman, should be allowed equal treatment and access to education, jobs, etc. -
Education For All Handicapped Children Act
This act made it mandatory that "all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities." In all, it made it so handicapped children received an education as similar to that of a non-handicapped child. It allowed all students to feel included rather than taking handicapped children out of regular classrooms. Read this summary for further details!
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