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(MOST IMPORTANT) Colonial Efforts
Website The first American school was opened in 1635.Schools emphasized religion and prayer. Reading and Writing education was mainly taught to boys and a few privileged girls. Eventually, all colonies required towns to set up schools. Schools typically weren't free, reqiring tuition. Education has changed a lot from colonial times till now. This is significant because education still exists and continues to be important. -
First Printing Press in America Established
The first printing press was set up in Massachusetts Colony, at Harvard. It was set up by Mrs. Glover. Her husband, Rev. Jose Glover was a nonconforming minister who wanted to provide religious books for the colonies, but he died while they sailed from England. The prinint press came only two years after Harvard was founded. -
(MOST IMPORTANT) Northwest Land Ordinance
WebsiteThe Northwest Land Ordinance of 1785 was used to help fund public schools. It was started with lands won during the Revolutionary War. It is significant because it created a way for public schools to be free to the public. Townships were created and land was set aside for schools.This changed education by making schools more accessible, both physically and financially. Today it is still helping fund public schools. -
Bill of Rights
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution states that powers not delegated to the federal government "are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people." This meant that, education would becomes a function of the state rather than the federal government. There is no mention of education in any amendments. -
James Pillan invents Blackboard
At the end of the 18th Century, students were still using individual slates (made of slate or wood) to learn, because paper and ink were so expensive. James Pillan invented the blackboard and by the middle of the 19th century, almost every classroom had one. It remained essentially the same until the 1960's. That is when the gren board became available. Around this time, the term 'chalkboard' became the common term used to describe the board. -
(MOST IMPORTANT) Hartford Female Seminary Founded
WebsiteCathrine Beecher established the Hartfod Female Seminary in 1823. It was one of the first educational institutes for women in the United States. In just a few years, there were over 100 students enrolled. She created her own textbooks and performed several experiements. Her objective was to "unite American women." This is significant because even today women are fighting to be equals in education. -
Horace Mann's Influence
Horace Mann served in the senate and was part of a reform movement that created the first board of education. Horace Mann became the secertary. He developed six principles of education that were very contriversial. In a commencement speech he said, “I beseech you to treasure up in your hearts these my parting words: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” -
(MOST IMPORTANT) National Teachers Association Founded
WebsiteThe National Teachers Association was founded by 43 educators in Philadelphia. Their goal was to create a single, strong voice for public education. It played an important role in inproving educational conditions for teachers and students. It is now known as the National Education Association. This is significant because they are still committed to advancing the cause of public education. -
Dewey Decimal System
Melvil Dewey created a classification system for libraries. His work has been revised and expanded 23 times. It started out as a fout page pamphlet and is now at least a four volume set. It is currently maitained by the Online Computer Library Center. -
Committee of Ten
A group of educators who realized there was a need for standardization in high school curriculum. They set out to stop competing academic philosophies. To resolve these issues, the National Education Association formed this committee. They made recommentdations that outlined how education should be taught. -
Brown vs Board of Education
This was a pivitol case for the United States Supreme Court that said it was unconstitutional to separate public schools for black and white studetns. It was a unanimous decision that stated. "Separate edcuational facilites are inherently unequal." This was a major victory in the Civil Rights Movement, though not everyone accepted it right away. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESEA was passed as part of the War of Poverty. It's purpose is to provide equal and fair opportunities to an education. It helps to fund priamry and secondary education. It has been reauthorized every five years since it was signed into law in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson. There are many different types of funding rules and requirements. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act
American legistlators made it so that any students with a disability is provided a free appropriate public education. The main goal is provide the same opportunities to those with disabilities to those without disabilities. It is made up of four parts, A-D and there are six pillars, including IEP, FAPE, LRE, Appropriate Evaluation, Parent and Teacher Participation, Procedural Safeguards. -
A Nation as Risk Report
A Nation at Risk Report, given by Ronald Regan, came about due to the belief in the declining educational system as compared to other industrialized nations and the perception that America would not be able to compete economically and intellectually with other countries. This helped to pave the way for current methods of teaching and assessing. -
(MOST IMPORTANT) No Child Left Behind
WebsiteNo Child Left Behind was proposed to legislation by George W, Bush in 2001 to reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It supports standards-based education and requires states to assess basic skills. The states receive funding if they give the assessments to students at select grade levels. It was passed by the House and Senate in 2001 and signed into law in 2002. It was designed to give standards, so that students would not be left behind because of where they l
