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Colonial Period and the first text book in America "The New England Primer"
In 1690 the first school book in America is published. It is called "The New England Primer" and it aids in alphabet instruction as well as offering passages from the bible to help shape children's values. -
Jefferson and The University of Virginia
In 1819 Thomas Jefferson founds the University of Virginia, a public research college in Charlottesville Virginia. For the first time students were allowed to study multiple subjects and they were not forced to mix religion and school. -
Mary Lyon and Mount Holyoke
Mary Lyon wants to start an affordable school where woman can learn to do perform as teachers. They kept tuition down at first by having the woman do some of the work around the school while attending. It was very important that she keep the curriculum difficult and in line with the curriculum of the male colleges of the time. -
1892 NEA Committee of Ten
In 1892 Ten people met together to study the education system in the United States and make recommendations to improve it. For the first time the standard of eight years of elementary education and four years of secondary education is established. The committee also stated that each child in the secondary education institution should be taught the material the same way. -
2001 No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act sought to increase the standards to which the public elementary and secondary schools were held. Schools that score higher on standardized tests provided by the state are awarded more funding to continue to better themselves while schools struggling to meet the standards set forth by the tests lose funding in certain areas. The standardized test focus more on reading, writing, and math, less emphasis was placed on social studies, languages, and arts.
