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Introduction of Noah Webster’s Speller
Noah Webster published the A grammatical Institute of the English language, also known as, “the blue-back speller.” This was the most widely circulated of the early American textbooks and like Webster’s American Dictionary it strived to establish a national identity as well as the United States’ linguistic and cultural independence of England. As the first popular American textbook, the introduction of Noah Webster’s speller stands as a significant event in the history of American education. -
First State-Supported School Established
Originally named the Boston English Classical School and established in 1821, the school was renamed the English High School in 1824 and also, during that year, became the first-state supported common school. The adoption of the English High as a state-supported common school is a significant event in the history of American education as it was, essentially, the first public school. -
Abolition of Segregation of Schools in Massachusetts
Following the case of Roberts v. Boston, the state of Massachusetts abolished segregation in their schools. The victory would be the first in a long battle lasting nearly an entire century. This was the first law to oppose segregated schools in the United States and is, therefore, a significant event in the history of American education. -
First Progressive Laboratory
John Dewey, the father of the progressive education, established the first laboratory school for testing the progressive educational method. This would lead to a popular trend in education adopted by schools during the first half of the twentieth century. Progressive education emphasizes cultivation of problem solving and critical thinking skills through hands-on learning activities. Although progressive education’s popularity declined greatly during World War II, it will likely rise again in -
GI BILL Becomes Law
The GI Bill of Rights, or Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II. The GI Bill affords military veterans government funding to pursue or continue educational goals following their service. The GI Bill not only compensates veterans for their service, but has also been responsible for the growth of American colleges and universities; because of this fact, the creation of the GI Bill of Rights is a significant event in the history of -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was the case which formally banned segregation in American schools. The U.S. Supreme court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that separate schools did not provide equal education to students and therefore banned the segregation of schools nationwide. Although further actions by the government following this ruling were required to eradicate segregation from all American schools, Brown v. Board of Education is undoubtedly one of the most significant even -
Defense Education Act of 1958
The Defense Education Act of 1958 was signed into law by the United States government during the cold war in reaction to the successful launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik. The Soviets’ scientific success motivated the U.S. government to fund the U.S. Office of Education’s establishment of scientifically and mathematically centered curriculum in hopes to mirror or surpass the achievement of the enemy. The Defense Education Act of 1958 is a significant event in the history of American educat -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson banned discrimination in all federally funded programs. This law helped to further the ruling of Brown v. Board of Education as many schools had continued segregation. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 financially, “cut-off,” institutions, such as public schools, which promoted discrimination of any and all types and gave leverage to the movement; for this reason, it is a significant event in the history of American education. -
"A Nation at Risk"
A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform was the title of the report of President Ronald Reagan's National Commission on Excellence in Education. The report claimed that the American educational system was failing its students. The commission called for extensive reform of the American educational system due to its failures. The education movement created by the commission was that of increasingly higher educational success among students gauged by standardized test scores. Be -
NCLB
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush to set a goal of educational standard to be achieved by the American educational system no later than 2014. The standards are based upon the results of standardized tests taken by students. All students are required to meet the standards establish by NCLB at the accountability of educators. NCLB has caused a strain for educators and students alike as they strive to achieve goals which may be unrealistic. President B
