-
Colonial Education
Formal education was only offered to families of landowners, who hired tutors to teach children at home. These children went on to Europe for formal university education. Only missionaries offered education to slaves and indentured servants. -
Early American Universities
Harvard was the first university established in America, in 1636. Later William and Mary, Yale, Princeton, King's College, College of Philadelphia, Brown, Dartmouth, and Queen's College were established by 1800. -
American Academy
Benjamin Franklin sought the need for secondary schools; the American Academy was established in Philadelphia. This school encouraged education beyond latin teachings, and were developed to encourage preparation for employment school. -
Horace Mann
As Secretary of the State Board of Education, Horace Mann aided in establishing elementary schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These schools provided basic elementary education to children. During his time he created the compulsory education law, which required all children to attend school. -
Creation Of The First High School
The English Classical School was established in Boston. Under George Emerson's direction, the school consisted of a three-year course in English, Mathematics, Science and History. Later Chemistry, Philosophy, Logic, Trigonometry, French, and the U.S. Constitution were added. Only boys were enrolled at this time. -
Junior High/Middle School
The first ever junior high/middle schools were established. They consisted of grades seven through nine. Through increased enrollment, middle schools evolved to grades six through eight. -
Smith-Hughes Act
Through the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act, federal funding was provided for vocational training. This movement brought progress in teaching specific job skills and preparation for employment. -
Education of Women
Prior to this, women were not given the same opportunities in education as men. Girls were only taught how to read, but not to write. Emma Willard, Maria Montesorri, Ella Flagg Young and Mary McLeod Bethune sought out to bring better education to women. With the passing of the ninteenth amendment, more opportunities presented themselves. -
Brown V. the Board of Education
African Americans fought for equal rights in education. In 1954, the Supreme Court voted to end school segregation, allowing African Americans to go to school with White people. This one of many fights for civil rights equality in the United States of America. -
Panel on Mental Retardation
President John F. Kennedy created the President's Panel on Mental Retardation. This began the road to create equal education opportunities for those who have disabilities. The panel recommended there be federal aid to states for special education. -
The EHA and IDEA
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which provided children with disabilities the right to an education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provided individualized special education to children with qualifying disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind
President George W. Bush signed the "No Child Left Behind Act" in order to encourage schools to meet state and federal standardized test requirements. Standardized testing was critical to examine basic grade level skills of children, to ensure they weren't being left out.