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The first "free school" in Virginia opens. However, education in the Southern colonies is more typically provided at home by parents or tutors.
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Thomas Jefferson proposes a two-track educational system, with different tracks in his words for "the laboring and the learned."
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Pennsylvania state constitution calls for free public education but only for poor children. It is expected that rich people will pay for their children's schooling.
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The Bill of Rights passes, making education a function of the state.
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The chalkboard was one of educations first technological advances.
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First public high school in the U.S., Boston English, opens.
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Massachusetts passes a law making all grades of public school open to all pupils free of charge.
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Horace Mann accepts position as Secretary of Massachusetts newly created Board of Education.
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The first school for teacher education opens.
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The first mandatory attendance law is passed.
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In 1857, National Teachers Association was founded. It was created by forty-three educators in Philadelphia.
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In 1867, the Department of Education was established. It was created to help states establish effective school systems.
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In 1892, the Committee of Ten was established to create a standardized curriculum for high schools
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The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the state of Louisiana has the right to require "separate but equal" railroad cars for Blacks and whites. This decision means that the federal government officially recognizes segregation as legal. One result is that southern states pass laws requiring racial segregation in public schools.
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The pencil is mass produced.
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At the turn of the century, the American Association of Universities promoted higher standards. This was done in order to put American universities on the same playing field as European universities.
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Thomas Edison stated, "Books will soon be obsolete in the schools. Scholars will soon be instructed through the eye..." This was in reaction to educational television.
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In 1919, led by John Dewey, the Progressive Education Association was founded. The aim was to reform the entire school system of America. It was based on the ideas pertaining to separate academic education for few and vocational studies for the masses.
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Radios are incorporated into education.
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The overhead projector is invented and starts being used in the classroom.
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Motion pictures begin to use motion pictures as a educational tool.
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In Los Angeles, a television is used in the classroom for the first time.
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Headphones become popular in classrooms.
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The Supreme Court unanimously agrees that segregated schools are "inherently unequal" and must be abolished. Almost 45 years later in 1998, schools, especially in the north, are as segregated as ever.
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A federal court orders integration of Little Rock, Arkansas public schools.
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The Little Rock 9 were a group of African American students who were prevented from entering their racially segregated high school. President Eisenhower had to send 10,000 federal troops to enforce the integration and protect the students.
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The photocopier is introduced to the classroom.
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The whiteboard replaces the blackboard.
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Texas Instrument invents the first handheld calculator.
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Scantrons are used to automatically grade tests.
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A Supreme Court made up of Richard Nixon's appointees rules that schools may not be desegregated across school districts. This effectively legally segregates students of color in inner-city districts from white students in wealthier white suburban districts.
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Teaching software was introduced to the classroom. It was used to drill basic skills.
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This report called for all high school students to be able to understand and use computers by graduation.
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The Apple Macintosh computer in introduced.
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Typing software is developed and used to teach typing in classrooms.
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The Smart Board is introduced to the classroom.
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Proposition 187 passes in California, making it illegal for children of undocumented immigrants to attend public school. Federal courts hold Proposition 187 unconstitutional, but anti-immigrant feeling spreads across the country.
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The Common Core Standards Initiative was brought into being in 2009. It was a state led effort and the Mission Statement says, "The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them." It is expected that all states will eventually adopt the CCSS.
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The Federal Government published the NPET called for a "revolutionary transformation" of education. In regards to making technology a priority.
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1.5 million IPads are being used in the classroom.