-
Harvard opens its doors
Harvard College opens up in Cambridge, Massachusetts as the first higher education institution in the United States. Secondary schools turn their focus on preparing students for college and Harvard is seen as the "goal" of post-secondary education. 8 Harvard alumni go on to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Secondary schools still focus on preparing their students for post-secondary schooling with the focus being on going to a higher education institution. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was passed by Congress, however the responsibility of Public Education is not mentioned anywhere. The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government "...are reserved to the States..." putting public education in the hands of the State governments. Each state develops different policies and curriculum for public education standards. No federal curriculum has ever been put into place. This creates different expectations and goals for each state. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Legally declared that a "separate but equal" education in public schools is unconstitutional. This forces all schools to desegregate and be open to all races, however the actual integration of schools does not happen for some schools several years later. With the ruling of Brown v. Board, public education was made available for students of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds. The integration and inclusion of every child into public education is something that is still practiced today. -
Higher Education Act
The Higher Education Act (HEA) creates opportunities for lower and middle income families with program assistance to go to smaller colleges. The HEA introduced financial aid, scholarships, and work study. The HEA increased the accessibility of a college education for those who would not be able to afford it. The HEA also created a National Teacher Corps, which recruits teachers to serve in low-income areas and trains teachers through internship. Many of the HEA policies are still in place today. -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was passed as a way to assess Federal Funding to Education. The NCLB mandated high stakes tests that held schools accountable for student achievement and would also place penalties on schools that do not meet requirements. NCLB is the first Federal Act that connects federal funding to the public education system. With this system in place, schools who struggled due to funding would get even less. This forces K-12 curriculum to focus on these standardized tests
