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The Common Schools Movement
Common Schools were founded by Horace Mann. The schools did not charge any money, and would become the foundation for public schools that we know today. Date is not officially known. -
Education becomes a must
Massachusetts becomes the first state to make schooling mandatory. New York became the second state about a year later. Exact dates are unknown. -
The Department of Education is founded
The department was founded by President Andrew Johnson. The department was scaled back to an office a year later because of concerns of the influence of the department. -
School segregation starts
Segregation started because of a supreme court case about segregation on trains, the case quickly spread to the education system and it really hasn't looked back -
Standardized testing begins
This is the year that standardized testing hit the ground running, and by 1932, there were over 1300 different standardized tests on the market for teachers. -
School structure changes
The classroom changed from the one room for all grades to an elementary, middle school, and high school format -
Teachers join the work force
The American Federation of Teachers was formed and joined forces with the American Federation of Labor. Together, they fought for better wages and working conditions. -
G.I. Bill brings college to the masses
College was mostly for the rich until this bill was passed and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, which allowed millions to pursue an education instead of attending the workforce. -
School Segregation meets its match
The Brown vs Topeka board of education case happens, and rules segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. -
Schools get police officers
After the tragedy of the Columbine shooting, uniformed officers started to replace hall monitors, and improved the security of all schools in light of the Columbine shooting.