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The first school in America was Boston Latin School. It was established in Boston, Massachusetts. National Geographic Society. (2013, October 28). First Public School in America. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/apr23/first-public-school-america/.
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The first school for the deaf was established in 1817 in West Hartford, Connecticut. It was called the American School for the Deaf. History & Cogswell Heritage House. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.asd-1817.org/about/history--cogswell-heritage-house.
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In the 1820s schools started focusing on things like hygiene and body development. This is when physical education started becoming implemented in schools. Brief History of Physical Education, Physical Education History. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.excite.com/education/subject/brief-history-of-physical-education.
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Massachusetts enacted the first compulsory education law in 1852. This law stated that every town must offer a primary school that focused on arithmetic and grammar. Compulsory Education Laws: Background. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://education.findlaw.com/education-options/compulsory-education-laws-background.html.
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In 1905 Robert Nveilis created homework. He used homework as a punishment for his students. Since then, the practice has spread to schools across the world. College-Homework-Help.org. (n.d.). Who Invented Homework and Why? Top Facts You Should Know. Retrieved from https://college-homework-help.org/blog/who-invented-homework-and-why.
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Prior to 1918, many laws had been passed in different states requiring children to receive some form of schooling. However, in 1918 all children in America were required to attend elementary school. Watson, S. (2008, February 13). How Public Schools Work. Retrieved from https://people.howstuffworks.com/public-schools1.htm.
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In 1946 Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act which stated that qualifying kids should get low-cost or free lunch. National School Lunch Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp.
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In 1954 segregation was banned in public education at the state level through Brown v. Board of Education. Head, T., Head, T., & Aclu. (n.d.). Major Milestones in Ending Segregation in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/desegregation-in-the-united-states-721609.
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The launch of Sputnik made the US realize its math and science curriculums needed to be improved. In 1957 the government enacted reforms to improve science and math in schools. Powell, A. (2007, October 11). How Sputnik changed U.S. education. Retrieved from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/10/how-sputnik-changed-u-s-education/.
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In 1962 the U.S. Supreme Court banned school-sponsored prayer.
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In 1963 the action of compulsory Bible reading was banned from public schools. Education Expert: Removing Bible, Prayer from Public Schools Has Caused Decline. (2014, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/education-expert-removing-bible-prayer-public-schools-has-caused-decline.
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In Dade County, Florida the first English as a Second Language program was started. This was the first time this program was established by the government in a public school. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/history-of-esl-education-in-the-us.html.
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The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was enacted in 1965. This gave funds to elementary and secondary schools and focused on improving educational programs. Johnson, L., Obama, B., Thorner, Thorner, N. J., Thorner, Josey, … Rochester Schools. (2018, April 29). Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Retrieved from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/education/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-of-1965/.
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In Tinker v. Des Moines court carse, the courts ruled that as long as the student's actions are not disruptive, school officials cannot censor their speech or expression. Tinker v. Des Moines - Landmark Supreme Court Ruling on Behalf of Student Expression. (2012, November 15). Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/other/tinker-v-des-moines-landmark-supreme-court-ruling-behalf-student-expression.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a school district that is receiving federal funds must students that do not speak English instruction in English. This ensures that these students receive an equal education. Bon, S. C. (n.d.). Lau v. Nichols. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lau-v-Nichols.