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In 1635, the first public school opened in America. The Boston Latin School was the first public school and is in Boston, Massachusetts. The main goal for public schools were to teach reading. Before schools started to open, only privileged white children received any type of instruction.
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/a-history-of-public-schools -
The goal of the Common School Movement was to provide funding to public schools to give students the opportunity to get a free education no matter what their social class was.
https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/united-states-and-canada/us-history/common-school-movement -
In 1857, the National Teachers Association was created by 43 teachers. Originally it was founded to create interest in the teaching profession. However, women were not allowed to join until 1866. In 1870 it became the National Education Association which is now used to ensure teachers rights.
https://www.thoughtco.com/an-overview-of-the-national-education-association-3194786 -
The Department of Education was created in 1867 to provide equal access to education and financial aid to schools. It also brings attention to educational issues.
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-the-department-of-education-6823123 -
In 1896, the Plessy v. Ferguson case was about racial segregation. This case led to a Separate but Equal doctrine. This allowed African Americans to go to school however still not with whites. Before this case, African Americans went to public segregated schools with very few resources. Whites still had better programs and schools.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/plessy-v-ferguson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj54KP16Ilw -
From 1910 to 1940, High schools started to come up all over. Secondary schools existed before this, but they were private and cost money to go to. Therefore, very few teens went to school at all. Majority of those that did were wealthy men.
https://prezi.com/d9u7k045ylp2/the-secondary-school-movement/ -
In 1954, there was another case about racial segregation. The Brown vs. Board of Education was stating that separate was not equal. This case broke segregation and led to African Americans being allowed to go to the same schools as whites.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
The Head Start is a free program that helps young children get ready for school. There is an income requirement in order to qualify. This not only helps the children get ready for school, but it also provides help to better their social and emotional needs.
https://childcare.gov/consumer-education/head-start-and-early-head-start -
In 1972, Congress passed a law which requires schools and universities to provide equal opportunities for women across all education programs. This law was called Title IX. Title IX says no one should be excluded from activities, resources, or be discriminated against based on their sex. After this was passed, more women were going to college, getting degrees, and playing in sports. However, we still see a gap between male and female positions and equalities. -
In 2001, the Federal Education Legislation passed an act that helped set high standards for students in schools. This was called No Child Left Behind Act. Its goal is to use standardized testing to improve students' success. This also allows schools to take responsibility in their students' performance.
https://ballotpedia.org/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act