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Colonial Schools
Colonial Schools were typically comprised of upper-class boys, with a few girls in the mix. They learned reading, writing, math, and prayers. -
Webster and the Blue Back Speller
Noah Webster did a lot for American Education, but is most famous for his Blue Back Speller, which taught generations of Americans how to read and spell. -
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson believed that all children should be educated, and was a large supporter of public schools. -
Common Schools
Common Schools were the present-day equivalent of public schools. They provided a free education to all white children. -
The Impact of Horace Mann
MOST IMPORTANT
Horace Mann was the first Secretary of Education in the United States. He worked to make schools standardized and accessible to all Americans. He thought that school should be taught by well-trained teachers, not just anybody who couldn't get another job. Link text -
Committee of Ten
The Committee was a group of educators that promoted the standardization of American education. -
Progressive Education
MOST IMPORTANT
Progressive Education was the idea that school was to rigorous and unrealistic. It promoted classroom discussion, moving around and using different facilities within the school, and broadening the curriculum. The main concern here was for the children's quality of life. Link text -
The Impact of John Dewey
John Dewey is what we call the father of modern American education. He was a believer in learning by doing. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
MOST IMPORTANT
The Supreme Court ruled that all schools be integrated. Not all states obeyed this until years later, upon force. It declared that "separate but equal" facilities were definitely not equal. Link text -
NDEA
The National Defense Education Act was put into place during America's "space race" with Russia. It provided funding to American Schools and also encouraged Americans to receive schooling beyond secondary school (college and university). -
Civil Rights Act
This act made it illegal to discriminate based on race, color, gender, ability, etc. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Provided government funding to support all public elementary and secondary schools. -
IDEA
Children with disabilities were allowed the right to gain a regular education. -
A Nation at Risk
MOST IMPORTANT
Ronald Reagan felt that American schools were failing. He released this reform to help Americans to better schooling and education once again. He wanted standardization, competition, and more teacher education. Link text -
No Child Left Behind
MOST IMPORTANT
This law made the schools accountable for the education that a child received. It gave extra funding to schools whose students were lower-class. In many cases, it provides free meals and extra tutoring for those who need it. Link text
