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Nov 10, 1483
Martin Luther 1483-1546
Martin Luther denounced his faith in the Catholic Church, and became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation encouraged and supported the importance of education and reading. Luther was in agreement with the Reformation, and emphasized the necessity of establishing schools to teach children how to read. Between 1522 and 1534, he translated the Bible from Latin to vernacular language, allowing people to be educated in their own language. -
John Comenius 1592-1670
John Comenius is considered "the father of modern education." He was the author of "Orbis Pictus," the first picture book for children, which was also written in native language rather than Latin. He presented and supported the idea of equal opportunity for impoverished children, and opened doors for the education of women. Comenius believed early experiences formed what a child would be like; and said that education should occur through the senses. -
Friedrich Froebel 1782-1852
Friedrich Froebel likened children to seedlings that grew into plants; and teachers as their gardener. Thus the name Kindergarten was born. His concept of children and learning was based on the idea of unfolding. He believed the teacher’s role is to observe children’s natural unfolding and provide activities that enable them to learn what they are ready to learn when they are ready to learn it. His concept of play as an educational tool contributed to the design of Froebel Gifts. -
Horace Mann 1796-1859
In 1837 Horace Mann was elected as Secretary of Massachusetts Board of Education, the first position of its kind in the United States. He spearheaded the Common School Movement, ensuring that every child could receive a basic education funded by local taxes. Mann hoped by bringing children of all classes together, a common learning experience could be shared. This would also give an opportunity to the less fortunate, so as to "equalize the conditions of men." -
John Dewey 1859-1952
John Dewey is, to date, the most influential person of progressive education. His theory of schooling, usually called "progressivism," emphasizes his thought that "the child is more important than the subject," and "schools should be based on democratic, not authoritarian principles." Dewey also believed children should be educated for today, not tomorrow; and children's interests are the foundation of teaching. -
Maria Montessori 1870-1952
Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to earn a medical degree. She was interested in educational solutions for problems such as deafness, paralysis, and mental retardation; and felt that mental deficiencies were more of an educational than medical problem. Montessori published her renowned book known as the "Montessori Method," in 1909. -
Casa Dei Bambini Montessori School
Casa Dei Bambini was the first school Maria Montessori opened. It is located in a low-income district of Rome. Montessori's belief was that all knowledge comes intrinsically from sensory experiences; prepared environments are essential for learning; and respect for children is the foundation of teaching. It is estimated that there are now more than 22,000 Montessori Schools in at least 110 countries worldwide. -
Montessori Schools in the United States
The first Montessori School to open in the United States was located in Scarborough, New York. By the 1920's however, having much to do with World War I, and other national happenings, the Montessori movement in the U.S. drew to a close. It wasn't until the 1960's that the schools made a comeback. *Please note that while the year is correct for the establishment of the first American Montessori School, I could not locate the opening month or day. -
The National Defense Education Act
As a result of Sputnik that was launched in 1957 by The Soviet Union, a nationwide fear ensued of Soviet dominion and communism. The response to this fear was the National Defense Education Act. This provided federal funding to science, technology, engineering, math, and foreign language education. This is important for us today because it has resulted in amazing scientific discoveries that impact how we think about education and how we teach children. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights movement changed the course of education as we know it today. During this time the federal government became more involved in ensuring education for all and in altering the environments of education. "Title VI" of the Act protects people from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance.This includes local schools, colleges, universities, proprietary institutions, libraries, and museums. -
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
This implemented several social programs to promote health, education, and general welfare of people with low socioeconomic status. The EOA provided for the beginning of "Head Start" in 1965, and was later updated to the Head Start Act of 1981. It is one of the longest running programs to address systemic poverty in the United States. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965
The ESA provides monies to help educate children from low-income families. This portion of the ESA is known as Title I. This title served to more fully fund primary and secondary education. The funds assist with free or reduced-priced school lunches, additional academic support and learning opportunities for students. For example, funds support extra instruction in reading and mathematics, as well as special preschool, after-school, and summer programs. -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
This is an update of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which effectively increased the responsibility of the federal role in holding schools accountable for student outcomes through testing. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
The bill is the first to narrow the United States federal government's role in elementary and secondary education since the 1980's. The ESSA retains the annual standardized testing requirements of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act but shifts the law's federal accountability provisions to states. Under the law, students will continue to take annual tests between third and eighth grade.
