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Colonial Period
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Massachusetts Law of 1647 (Old Deluder Satan)
Important Event: This law, enacted by early citizens of Massachusetts, provided for the hiring of a teacher for the children of the community. Heavily influenced by Protestantism, the community members desired to protect their children from the influence of Satan through quality education. This law laid the groundwork for the future public education movements in the United States. -
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Revolution Through 1900
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Noah Webster's Blue Backed Speller
Dissatisfied with British textbooks and education, Noah Webster sets out to provide a textbook that would provide a distinctly American education. Webster focused on spelling and pronunciation, helping to standardize many words that remain in usage today. Amazingly, this book still remains in print, enabling its author to be the first American to make a living off of a published book. -
The Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance and its predecessor, The Land Ordinance, spelled out the American plans for western expansion. The ordinance, while spelling out expansion plans and ideas on slavery, also mentioned education. New townships were laid out containing 640 acre sections and one of these sections in each township was specifically set aside as land for schools and the promotion of education. -
Common School Movement
Important Event: The Common School Movement began in the 1830s as some Americans sought to provide a free, quality education for all students. Proponents of this movement felt that providing this type of education would enhance the poltical, social and economic well-being of the entire nation. Led by Massachusetts politician Horace Mann, the Common School Movement gained traction in the antebellum era among other reformers. This movement helped pave the way for free, public education today. -
Horace Mann in Massachusetts
Horace Mann, politican and educational advocate, becomes the head of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Mann was a major proponent of the Common School movement and vouched for free, public education for all students. Mann pushed for educational funding as well as teacher training. -
First Teacher Education Program
The first publically funded teacher education school opens in Lexington, Massachusetts. This school was intended to further the religious education of students as well as to unify students through learning about specific subjects. This school helped to raise the prestige of teacher education among the upper classes and to promote education as a respectable profession. -
Mandatory Attendance
Massachusetts becomes the first state to mandate required attendance in school. Those who did not abide by the law were fined. By the 1880s, 16 states have similar laws. All states have some sort of attendance law by 1918. -
Department of Education Founded
The United States Department of Education was originally created in 1867 to provide assistance to states and their school systems. Over time, the department has grown in importance and stature. The DOE now oversees education across the country, as well provides standards and reccommendations for education throughout the nation. -
Committee of Ten
The Committee of Ten, organized by National Education Association, reccommended plans for national standardized high school curriculum. The committee reccommended that each student recieve 12 years of education in various subjects including math, English and civics. The committee also helped to make science education a regular part of the school curriculum. -
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The Early 20th Century
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John Dewey and Progressive Education
John Dewey, a progressive educational advocate, became influential through his book " Democracy and Education. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education." Dewey advocates for education that helps to further the cause of democracy, mainly through a theory of strict rules and procedures based on experience. Dewey believed that education was effective if new experiences pulled on knowledge gained from the past. -
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The Later 20th Century and Beyond
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Brown vs. Board of Education
Important Event: This Supreme Court decision ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional. African-American students no longer were required to attend all-black schools and were able to attend school with their other peers. Although this decision was mostly beneficial for students, many black teachers lost their jobs. Today, there are still few black teachers as a consequence of this landmark decision, although conditions are slowly improving. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Important Event: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The ESEA provided $1 billion in funding for schools in at-risk areas. One of the major provisions of the law provided funding for the Head Start program, which grew from an 8 week summer program to a year-long one. The ESEA continues to fund education in low-income areas as well as further the reach of Head Start. ESEA has given millions of students educational opportunities. -
Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act
Important Event: The Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), which passed in 1975, brought about needed changes for American students with disabilities. IDEA ensured that teachers and parents worked to together to plan apporpriate educational plans for each student. The law also mandated that disabled students be mainstreamed into the regular classroom as much as was possible. IDEA provided learning and growing opportunities for students of all abilities. -
A Nation At Risk
"A Nation At Risk" was a report issued by the Reagan administration that assessed the state of American education. The report observed that American education was lacking in some areas and made reccomendations for improvements including better pay and training for teachers, higher standards for graduation and more emphasis on excellence and technology. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed by George W. Bush in 2002. NCLB reauthorizes the ESEA while reforming the education system based on standards. Theact posits that setting high standards as well as achieveable goals will help students excel. NCLB places a great emphasis on standardized testing and makes these tests required for the receipt of government funding.
