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First State Board of Education
In 1837 Massachusetts created the first State Board of Education with Horace Mann as the first appointed secretary of education. Horace Mann is also known as "The Father of Education, because of his leadership he unified a state school system. His influence is the reason why public schools would be open to all students regardless of their race, class, gender, or religion. -
Board of Commissioner of the Common Schools, Henry Barnard
In 1839 Henry Barnard organized the first teacher's institute in America along with invoking the state government's authority to force each school district to meet certain standards for buildings, teachers, attendance, and textbooks. Without his influence we would not have set standards for the public school system. -
Tax Supported, Nonsectarian, Public Schools
Public schools were finally a reality. Schools were supported by the state, did not have a state-sponsored religion, and were free for all children. This public education was available for Northern states first, which then trended to the Southern states. The hard work and activism of Mann and Barnard are finally becoming a reality. Public schools are now existent. -
Child Study Movement
G. Stanley Hall and his students research brought credibility to the child study movement which became a key part of educational psychology. This allows teachers to understand a child's psychological life and behaviors. Because of this teachers could be more effective by adapting their instructional practices to meet students' learning needs improving the public school system. -
No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act held states, districts, and schools accountable for remedying the unequal achievement among the student population. This meant that all students would be taught the basics of education. This also raised the bar for teachers, only highly qualified teachers would be able to teach children in public schools. This act is still undergoing improvement today.
