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Horace Mann Appointed Secretary of Education
As Massachusetts's first appointed secretary of education, Horace Mann is often referred to as "The Father of American Education." Mann unified a state school system by convincing America that education should be "universal, nonsectarian, and free." If not for his persistence and dedication to the issues he addressed in his "Annual Report," public schools as we know them today would be severely lacking leadership and influence, which is why he is so important to the history of education. -
G. Stanley Hall and The Child Study Movement
Psychologist G. Stanley Hall and his students formed the basis of how we study children and their developing minds. This movement became a key part of educational society by 1900. Hall's work is a crucial contributor to how we teach. For teachers, the study of behaviors in children required a major focus shift from the subject to the student. This is important as later on, it led to "substantial changes in both curriculum and instruction." -
Brown v. Board of Education
"Separate but equal" is "inherently unequal."
Without Brown v. Board of Education, the fight for equal opportunities for all children regardless of background would not exist. This case was crucial because until this time, the U.S. Supreme court supported racial discrimination everywhere. This case set the tone for future battles in education equality and serves as a reminder for society and for schools that everyone should have an equal chance to learn no matter their race or gender. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Although originally passed in 1975, it wasn't until the 90's that brain injuries and autism were amended and IDEA was developed. Those with special needs finally had a voice thanks to public policy. This was a turning point in education history as it was the beginning of funding and resources for children with disabilities. The adaptive devices we have today would not have been possible without IDEA. Further, it enables all students to be successful learners no matter their learning ability. -
Montana Passes Anti-Bullying Law
In response to numerous cases of bullying, Georgia was the first state to pass an anti-bullying law in 1999. Several more states followed suit. In 2015, Montana was the final state in the United States to pass an anti-bullying law. This is important because no child should be afraid to go to school. A safe environment forms the foundation for a quality learning experience, and if that is interrupted, legal action can now take place in any state in the U.S.
