-
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence marked the beginning of the new era not just for the colonies, but for what would become American Education. While declaring independence from Britain and King George, The Declaration of Independence served to initiate the separation from European ideas and traditions until they were of little influence whereas American History and Pride were put as forefronts.
Notable Authors included Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson -
Period: to
History of Education: American Early National Period 1776-1840
As part of the history of Education, this era comes off the American Colonial Period and begins with the Declaration of Independence, ending in 1840 where the American Common Period begins. -
The First Academy Becomes a University
In 1751 Franklin founded the first English Academy (secondary school/academy) that taught anyone regardless of religious beliefs. (School had wide range of subjects) It was not until 1779 that the Academy became the University of Pennsylvania while maintaining its attributes. (State support and recognition was in 1779) -
Two Track Educational System
Thomas Jefferson's ideology of the "working" and "privileged" set up his idea for two-track educational system. He proposed a parting way system that separated "labored" and the "learned" to split people who would become laborers. This sets up concept for scholarships and diverging career pathways. -
Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Thomas Jefferson proposes his idea for public education that contained the Two Track system, however it was not until 1796 where the bill had been revised and edited that it had been passed as an "Act to Establish Public Schools." -
Free School Society
In 1805, Dewitt helped establish The Free School society as its president. The Free School Society helped provide education for all children, whether they were poor, did not have an education or were restricted by social standards. -
Special Education
In 1817 The American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, was opened in Hartford, CT. This was the first school to address special needs and the first in many reforms that targeted specific problems. -
First Highschool
In 1820, the first public United States High school is opened to the majority of the public in Boston. The Boston Latin School was founded in 1635, but became the first school to become public. Serves as the first school that branches away from private funding and lead by taxes. -
Massachusetts Mass Education
In 1827, seven years after the first public school, the state of Massachusetts passage legislation making all grades of public school free to all. Was the first compulsory law "making all grades of public school open to all pupils free of charge.” -
Board of Education
The first Board of Education gets together and is headed by Horace Mann. These were the beginning steps in making school compulsory and enacting educational reform while continually advocating for free school. -
Normal Schools
In 1839, the first public normal school was founded in Lexington, Massachusetts. (First in US) These teacher preparation schools served to enhance the monitorial system that was in place.
