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The first public school in the American colonies, Boston Latin
School, opens. -
The first printing press in the American Colonies is set up at Harvard College
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The Massachusetts Law of 1647, also known as the Old Deluder Satan Act, is passed. It decrees that every town of at least 50 families hire a schoolmaster who would teach the town's children to read and write and that all towns of at least 100 families should have a Latin grammar school master who will prepare students to attend Harvard College.
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An evening school for working children is established in
New Amsterdam -
The first New England Primer is printed in Boston. It becomes the most widely-used schoolbook in New England.
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The new England primer
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Quaker school for black students established in
Philadelphia. -
The Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is founded. A Catholic school for girls sponsored by Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula, it is "the oldest continuously operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States."
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Pennsylvania state constitution calls for free public education for poor families. Wealthy families are expected to pay for their
children’s schooling. -
Benjamin Franklin helps to establish the first "English Academy" in Philadelphia with a curriculum that is both classical and modern, including such courses as history, geography, navigation, surveying, and modern as well as classical languages. The academy ultimately becomes the University of Pennsylvania.
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Bishop John Hughes asks for state aid for Catholic schools.
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The New York Public School Society is formed by wealthy businessmen to provide education for poor children. Schools are run on the “Lancasterian” model, in which one “master” teaches hundreds of students in a signel room.
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The NEA announces its support of music education in public schools.
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A school for Native-American children opens in Carlisle, PA with 147 students.
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Maria Montessori opens her first school.
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The United States Congress approves the National School Lunch Act of 1946, creating the modern school lunch program.
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The School Breakfast Program pilot is launched. It becomes
permanent in 1975. -
Children of U.S. baby boomers swell school enrollments to a record
51.7 million students in the fall. -
First schools
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Quaker schools
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Benjamin Franklin
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New York public school society
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The NEA supports music
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Maria Montessori
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