Images

America’s Public Schools: From Inception Into the 20th Century

By Emily Ihasz

  • The New England colony of Massachusetts Bay opens the Boston Latin School. It is the first and oldest school in America. It uses public funds to educate the sons of Boston's elite.

    The New England colony of Massachusetts Bay opens the Boston Latin School. It is the first and oldest school in America. It uses public funds to educate the sons of Boston's elite.
    Boston Latin School: A History of 375 Plus Years

  • Harvard College (University) opens by vote of the general Court of Massachusetts Bay.

    Harvard College (University) opens by vote of the general Court of Massachusetts Bay.
    History of Harvard University

  • Massachusetts Bay makes attendance compulsory and in 1647 declares that every town of fifty or more families should have an elementary school while those with 100 or more families should have a Latin school as well (Applied Research Center, 2012).

    Massachusetts Bay makes attendance compulsory and in 1647 declares that every town of fifty or more families should have an elementary school while those with 100 or more families should have a Latin school as well (Applied Research Center, 2012).
    John Winthrop and the Founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony

  • The New England Primer is first published. Over five million copies of this book were published and used to teach children in order that they should be able to read the bible and have a good understanding of the principles of their Puritan faith.

    The New England Primer is first published. Over five million copies of this book were published and used to teach children in order that they should be able to read the bible and have a good understanding of the principles of their Puritan faith.
    Colonial Period: New England Primer

  • Children continue to be educated in Dame Schools where the Dame (uaually an older woman) taught children how to read and write in her kitchen, often as she continued to do her daily chores.

    Children continue to be educated in Dame Schools where the Dame (uaually an older woman) taught children how to read and write in her kitchen, often as she continued to do her daily chores.
    Colonial Education: Education for Boys and Girls

  • “…2,000,000 school-age children were working 50-to70-hour weeks…” (Scholastic, A History of Child Labor, 2013).

    “…2,000,000 school-age children were working 50-to70-hour weeks…” (Scholastic, A History of Child Labor, 2013).
    Child Labor in U.S. History

  • The first public high school opens. The English Classical School begins operating in Massachusetts in 1821 but is renamed The English High School of Boston after it re -opens it's doors in 1824.

    The first public high school opens. The English Classical School begins operating in Massachusetts in 1821 but is renamed The English High School of Boston after it re -opens it's doors in 1824.
    The English High School History

  • Massachusetts makes a law giving all the right to attend school at all levels of education.

    Massachusetts makes a law giving all the right to attend school at all levels of education.
    History of Public Schools

  • Massachusetts passes the first state child labor law, requiring factory workers under 15 years old to attend school for at least three months out of the year.

    Massachusetts passes the first state child labor law, requiring factory workers under 15 years old to attend school for at least three months out of the year.
    Videos about child labor

  • Horace Mann becomes head of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, the first of its kind.

    Horace Mann becomes head of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, the first of its kind.
    Horace Mann: Who was he?

  • Immigrants flock to America. "Owners of industry needed a docile, obedient workforce and look to public schools to provide it” (Applied Research Center, 2012).

    Immigrants flock to America. "Owners of industry needed a docile, obedient workforce and look to public schools to provide it” (Applied Research Center, 2012).
    Immigration and Indsustry in the 19th Century

  • In 1894 John Dewey was made head of the philosophy department at the University of Chicago. He is becomes influencial in pedagogy and educational teaching practices in America during the Progressive Era.

    In 1894 John Dewey was made head of the philosophy department at the University of Chicago. He is becomes influencial in pedagogy and educational teaching practices in America during the Progressive Era.
    Biography of John Dewey

  • In 1896 the Supreme Court rules “separate but equal” education for all races.

    In 1896 the Supreme Court rules “separate but equal” education for all races.
    Separtate but equal.

  • 1906 Nationality Act declares English the only language to be taught in schools and requires all immigrants to be able to speak English in order to start the naturalization process.

    1906 Nationality Act declares English the only language to be taught in schools and requires all immigrants to be able to speak English in order to start the naturalization process.
    History of bilingual education in the U.S.

  • The 1954 Supreme Court decision on the Brown vs. Board of Education began the progress toward equality in education.

    The 1954 Supreme Court decision on the Brown vs. Board of Education began the progress toward equality in education.
    The Supreme Court

  • President Lindon B. Johnson signs the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 which allocates public funds for creating educational programs for students with llimited English.

    President Lindon B. Johnson signs the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 which allocates public funds for creating educational programs for students with llimited English.
    Encyclopedia of Immigration