-
Period: to
Colonial Era
During the Colonial Era the first public school, Boston Latin School, was established in 1635. During this time "proper education" was becoming more common places in both the north and south. Ursuline Academy opened in 1727, the first school for women, free women of color, Native Americans, and enslaved African American women. -
Period: to
Federal Era
In the early 1800's, one room schoolhouses were common. They would house children of various ages and teachers who were not regulated in their teachings. The older the children became they then began to help teachers with instruction and helping younger students. Horace Mann changed this idea when he adopted the theory of "common schools". This began to regulate teachers in their education as well as separate children into ages and assigned to grades. -
Emma Willard
Emma Willard opened one of the first Women's Seminaries in New York in 1821. She argued that if women were more educated, they could be expected to act more from reason than that of fashion, women could be taught systems of morality, and women could "acquire a taste for moral and intellectual pleasures". -
Common Schools
Common schools were schools that offered elementary level schooling. Beginning in the 1830's in Massachusetts by Horace Mann. Mann also published "The Common School Journal" to keep the public informed about educational issues. -
Prudence Crandall
Prudence Crandall established a boarding school in Connecticut. An African American child wanted to attend the school; however, the parents of Canterbury were vehemently against it. Crandall was jailed and tried in 1834, but no significant ruling was made. She became a well-known advocate for women's rights as well as the abolition of slavery. -
Period: to
Progressive Era
In 2002, No Child Left Behind was passed and with this came the idea that in exchange for more federal aid schools must use standardized testing to measure math and language art skills. In 2012, schools were given a waiver when "100% of proficient children was deemed unrealistic". More schools during this time are moving toward a more "active learning" way of teaching. More schools are implementing strategies to create better curriculum for 21st Century teaching. -
Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori was first a physician and later became a influential educational philosopher. Her theory utilized child-sized furniture and special learning materials. Her theory emphasized independent work by the children under the teachings of a trained teacher. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Overturned Plessey V. Freguson. Ended the idea that "separate, but equal" was constitutional. This began the desegregation of schools in 21 states, which would prove to be a very long and arduous process. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The ESEA was a response by President Johnson against the "war on Poverty". The Act was to provide equal access to education for primary and secondary education. Funds from the Act were allocated for professional development, instructional materials, and resources to support educational programs.