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First State Board of Education
In 1837, Massachusetts developed the first State Board of Education, with Horace Mann becoming their first secretary of education. This paved the way for what is the current state of public education. Without this first leap into regulating the public school system, urging for public support for a cohesive system, who knows what direction public education would of went. This first organized State Board of education, is essential to the current educational system set up. -
Committee of Ten
In 1893, the National Education Association appointed a ten person committee to establish a high school curriculum. This is important in the standardization of creating an equal curriculum for all high school students, no matter their background. This set in motion the initial groundwork for what is the modern day high school curriculum. Without this initial decree, students may not have standardized subject learning, across the country today. -
Committee of Fifteen
In 1895, the National Education Association organized a group of fifteen individuals to come up with a standardized plan of study for elementary students. This is important in the standardization of creating an equal curriculum for all elementary students, no matter their background. This set in motion the initial groundwork for what is the modern day elementary school curriculum. Without this initial idea, students may not have standardized subject learning, across the country today. -
Brown v Board of Education
This is significant in the history of public education because it is one of the largest landmarks on the road to equality in public education. For the Supreme Court to unanimously agree that segregation based upon race, was not fair in education, sent a clear message to public schools that, being "separate but equal," is not "inherently equal," and the law would not support that. To truly have equality, everyone deserves to go to the school of their choice. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
No child should be denied a right to education based upon any kind of disability. This act helped to protect children with disabilities from being hindered in their education. Paving the way for our current special education programs, and protecting the rights of all children, to gain access, and have an equal opportunity toward attaining an education in the public school system. Without this ground work, children with disabilities may not have the protection, under law, they do today.
