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Massachusetts Passes Ground-Breaking Legislation
This is the first law that held guardians to any standards about their children's education, and it included girls' education also. Although the only standards for the children were that they were able to read and write enough to understand the bible and non-secular rules, this was the start to educating children. -
Quaker Schools
Quaker schools made education accessible for all students no matter their race, gender, or religious beliefs. They also had schools funded by charity to educate African American and Native American children.Quaker schools helped to begin equalizing education for all students. Quaker schools also did not use corporal punishment to control their students. In addition, their curriculum included practical courses, such as agriculture, allowing children to apply their education. -
First State Board of Education (SBOE)
Massachusetts created the first State Board of Education, with Horace Mann as its first appointed secretary of education. He did all he could to convince the American people that education should be free, universal, and nonsectarian. He made the school systems unified both in his state and throughout the Northern states. He also stated that mothers needed an education even more than leaders because of their influence on the next generation. The first SBOE created the "Father of Education". -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA ensures basic educational rights for children with disabilities. All children ages 3 to 21, inclusive, are guaranteed different rights such as; special education services, due process procedures, and the least restrictive learning environment possible. This gave students with disabilities an equal opportunity for success as students without disabilities and helped to create an inclusive learning environment and helping children with special needs feel accepted. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB was the federal government's first serious attempt to hold states, districts, and schools accountable for the unequal performance among different student populations. Although there are mixed results, NCLB is helping to keep students from falling through the cracks of the educational system. In addition, the NAEP shows the scores from the NCLB testing improving, helping to raise test scores for all student groups.
