-
Roxybury Latin School
This school was the first school that colonists had created. Since the colonists were the first citizens in the history of the United States of America, it makes sense that this is the first step towards creating modern day K-12 education. -
Harvard College-America's First Institution of Higher Learning
This institution started our higher learning education and has given the states some type of guideline to create curriculum for based on intellect you need for college. For example, there is a demand for STEM jobs and many of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. K-12 education recognize this need and are starting to shift their curriculum to support this surge. It also offers a lot of students in K-12 a goal to get to after you graduate from high school. -
Ordinances 1785 & 1887
These ordinances separated church and state. They also encouraged education without religious bias and provided federal tax funds to establish schools. Today, K-12 curriculum is very much based on scientific facts and frays from any religious affiliation. I find this event important because it is the start of the state federally funding our and it also marks the beginning of the state recognizing that religion doesn't have a place in school which allows students to practice any faith at home. -
Horace Mann
Horace Mann started the concept that every child, rich or poor that was born in America was entitled to an education. This is a concept that I think majority of people in America still think today. In fact, this concept almost seems like common sense that I think many Americans forget that school wasn't aways so readily available. Horace Mann saw the importance of education and through his practices the profession of teaching began. This begins the foundation of teaching as a career. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
This verdict that declared "separate but equal" as no more was a huge success for the civil rights movement. This case forced Americans to move past a time where it was legal to discriminate against someone just because of their race. This case called for the integration of all people. We are still learning and trying implement best practices of inclusion so that discrimination is a thing of the past. We have since failed and succeeded. But nevertheless, we are moving forward.
