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The Common School
In the top five due to setting up the ideas and start of the standards for public schools in the twenty-first century. Without Horace Manns establishment of the common school, schools in the United States could have been established in very different fashion. Pioneered the forefront of public education. This concept holds true today through the establishment of state laws and their own school systems that have stemmed due to Horace Manns ideas. -
State Compulsatory Laws
This event made the list due to the establishment of funding and the effects of the law requires each school district to follow. Most of the states established compulsatory attendance laws by 1900. They have been expanded and build upon in each state to the current standards. These laws are the basis for the current public schools, due to requiring enrollment and offering financial support based on attendance levels to the school. Along with specific teaching hours, each school year is required. -
Brown v. Board of Education Topeka
The Supreme Court decision set the nation towards a path of more equality through the means of education. This event made the list due to schools today are still fighting against segregation and attempting to lower the achievement gap between privileged Caucasians and minorities. De facto segregation still exists in today's public schools, especially in urban areas.Our -
Launch of Sputnik
After Russia beat the United States to space, there was a significant push towards a more academically challenging curriculum. This event made the timeline because in our current schools remains the focus of our current educational laws in place. The need to lead in the forefront of technology and advancement has only applied pressures to schools to produce high achieving students. Through time, this has remained the same, if it hasn't increased due to the move towards globalization. -
No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act tried to decrease the achievement gap by adding more federal funding as incentives to add support and also pushed to add standardized testing into the US to remain a global leader in today's world. This shaped today's school system by lessening the amount of time on humanities with an added focus on the core subjects. This law forced teachers to teach to the tests, instead of being able to prepare for students to learn a variety of different curriculum.
