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The First Department of Education
In 1867, The First Department of Education is established in the United States. This paved the way for the creation of standardized curricula and teacher training programs. -
The 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment is passed, which gave African American men the right to vote. This led to the development of black colleges and universities, such as Howard University and Morehouse College. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the constitutionality of "separate but equal" facilities for African Americans, which perpetuated segregation in schools and society. This would take more than a half century to reverse. -
The Smith-Hughes Act
The Smith-Hughes Act providing federal funding for vocational education in the United States, which was aimed at preparing students for careers in agriculture, industry, and the trades. Today, vocational education is known as career and technical education (CTE). While the Smith-Hughes Act is no longer in effect, its legacy can still be seen in the many CTE programs that exist in schools and colleges across the United States. -
GI Bill
Providing educational benefits to World War II veterans. This greatly increased access to higher education for many Americans. It enabled millions of servicemen and women to attend college or vocational schools, purchase homes, and start businesses. The GI Bill greatly expanded access to higher education and helped to create a more educated and skilled workforce -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka strikes down the "separate but equal" doctrine and paves the way for school desegregation. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is a federal law that was first enacted in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. It provides federal funding to improve educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, especially those from low-income families. -
The Education Amendments Act
The Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that includes several important provisions related to education. One of the most significant provisions is Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that was first enacted in 1975 and has been reauthorized several times since then, most recently in 2004. The law provides guidelines and funding for special education and related services for children with disabilities from birth to age 21. -
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a federal law that was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2002. The law aims to improve student achievement by holding schools accountable for the academic progress of their students. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA is a federal law that was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2015. The law replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and aims to give states more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems while still ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education.ESSA requires states to administer annual assessments in reading and math to all students in grades 3-8 and once in high school, but gives states more flexibility in how they use the results. -
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to shift to remote learning, highlighting inequities in access to technology and resources, as well as the importance of in-person instruction and social-emotional support for students. This has also kicked off a mass exodus of veteran teachers from the field, leaving education in a vulnerable spot.