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Roxbury Latin School Opened
On this day, the first free public school was opened by the Puritans. This momentous event began the strive for communities to provide free schooling for all children and opened the doors to education to the poor and needy. -
First Normal School Opened
Inspired by Horace Mann, Normal schools operated on the basis that education should be free and maintained by the public, schools should embrace children from all backgrounds, and children must be taught by well trained teachers. This began the journey to provide free education to all regardless of ethnicity or background. It also signaled the beginning of recognizing teaching as a profession. -
Pres. Ford signed the IDEA Act
On this day, President Ford signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law made special education available to all with disabilities and provided schools with federal assistance for creating special education programs to help those with disabilities. This Act was the fuel for many of the important Special Education Programs we see in our schools today. -
A Nation at Risk Report released
A report written by the National Commission of Excellence in Education, that called for a new cirriculum based around courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Computer Science. These cirriculum outlines are still used today to ensure our students are competitive in today's society. -
No Child Left Behind Act
An important educational law that required all schools receiving federal funding to administer annual standardized tests to show the improved educational advancement of their students. This law was an important step in ensuring quality education for all. It also marked an increase in federal testing which created a change in what was taught in the classroom.
