Education Historical Timeline

  • First Event

    First Event
    Northern states particularly stressed education and quickly established public schools after the revolution. By 1870, both countries had primary schools funded by tax. Private academies have flourished throughout the country, although there were little schools prior to the 1880's in rural areas (where most people lived). The first public high school in the US was founded in 1821 in Boston. At the end of the 19th century, private high schools were beginning to outnumber.
  • Second Event

    Second Event
    Brown v. Education The US Supreme Court ruled that segregating the black children from the white children was only hurting their education. The practice of segregating public school children solely based on their race was depriving the minority children to receive equal educational opportunities.
  • Third Event

    Third Event
    In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), granting a large federal expenditure to each state for the purpose of sustaining local K-12 systems. This law essentially enacted K-12 education as the law of the land.
  • Fourth Event

    Fourth Event
    2002 No Child Left Behind Act was signed by President George W. Bush attempting to hold districts accountable for making sure all achievements were obtainable by all children. Also holding staff accountable for their education.
  • Fifth Event

    Fifth Event
    In 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), giving state government back some individual power over evaluations and standards.