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U.S. Department of Education is Created
The U.S. Department of Education is created by combining offices of several federal agencies. Its original mission is to guarantee equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. -
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History Education 1980-1990
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The National Commission on Excellence in Education is created by Terrence Bell,
The National Commission on Excellence in Education is created by Terrence Bell, President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Education, to examine the quality of education in the U.S. due to "the widespread public perception that something is seriously remiss in our educational system". -
A Nation at Risk
A Nation at Risk, a report by the Education Department’s National Commission on Excellence in Education, warns of a "rising tide of mediocrity" in American schools "that threatens our very future as a Nation." A number of other critiques of the country's educational system were also released around this time. -
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows 1.0, the first independent version of Windows, is released, setting the stage for subsequent versions that make MS-DOS obsolete. The visual ability of windows helped push future innovations like the internet and interactive media that is used in education today. -
PC's in School
Computers continued to be adapted in schools as 25 % of high schools used PCs for college and career guidance. Many K-8 schools purchased Apple II and Macintosh computers and high schools began buying mostly DOS-based clones. -
High Schools That Work
High Schools That Work, a school reform model targeting grades 9-12, is created by the Southern Regional Education Board in Atlanta, Georgia. It is geared towards increasing the achievement of all students with special emphasis on career-bound students by blending the content of traditional college prep studies with quality vocational and technical studies. -
Public School
Minnesota is one of the first states to pass public school choice laws, giving students the choice of attending any public school in the state. Previously, students were required to attend schools in their neighborhood and/or district. -
New Jersey Paves a Path
NJ was the first state in the nation to create a path whereby talented college graduates could become teachers without attending traditional teacher preparation programs. -
President George H. Bush joins forces with Bill Clinton
President George H. Bush joins forces with Bill Clinton, then Governor of Arkansas, to hold the very first National Education Summit in Charlottesville, Virginia for the country's 50 governors with the intention of establishing education goals for the nation. -
Voucher Program
Milwaukee, Wisconsin establishes a voucher program enabling low-income children to attend a private or religious school of their choice. It is the first school choice program in the U.S. to provide funding to private schools in place of a public education. -
National Education Goals are announced by the President
National Education Goals are announced by the President and adopted by the Governors. The six goals, later expanded to eight, are to be reached by the year 2000: 1. All children will start school ready to learn. 2. The high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90%. 3. All students will become competent in challenging subject matter. 4. Teachers will have the knowledge and skills that they need. 5. U.S. students will be first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.6 -
The National Education Goals Panel
The National Education Goals Panel is created by President Bush and the states' governors to assess and report on state and national progress towards achieving the National Education Goals. -
Whiteboards
Whiteboards found their way into U.S. classrooms in increasing numbers and began to replace the blackboard due to a few reasons, primarily student allergies with the dust created from the chalk and the ease at which they could be cleaned.
