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First Public School in the United States
After realizing that educating children had to be done the Boston Latin School was founded. People understood that teaching them to read and write only at home wasn't enough. This public school was meant for boys and it was strictly grammar being taught. After a while, only wealthy woman received an education. This is very different from our education systems today. -
Elementary Schools
Now the General Court in Massachusetts ordered that in a town of 50 families there should be an Elementary school. In a town of 100 families a Latin school. These were only meant to make sure children were learning to read the bible and understanding their religion. Education was still only reading and writing but it was becoming more common. -
Free Education
By this time Massachusetts passes a law that makes all grade levels in all public schools available for any student without any charge. This is a very important law as it gave every child the opportunity to learn and not only those with money. This only begins to give education the importance it deserves. Recognizing that everyone deserves the opportunity to an education is a huge advance. -
Age Grading and Standard Curriculum (Common School)
As we fast forward in time we can see a larger similarity with our schools now. Horace Mann introduced separating student by age instead of teaching them all in one school-house like they did. He also showed us to have a standard curriculum, to ensure that all students would receive an equal education. This aspect of education remains like that for the most part. -
Plessy V Ferguson
This case brought the decision of keeping racial segregation, specially in railroads. It just changed the fact that they would still be separate but would be equal now. Homer A. Plessy boarded a railroad wagon and sat in an all whites seat. After being asked to move to the colored seat he refused and due to that he was arrested. This case was then affected by the Brown v Board of Education. -
Brown v The Board of Education
Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional even if the separate schools were "equal". This case happened when Oliver Brown wanted to enroll his daughter in the school that was closest to them. It was a whites only school and they refused to enroll her. This was the same situation several local residents had, they all filed a lawsuit. This case had a huge impact in education and in taking the first steps towards desegregation. -
Serrano v Priest
Students in California argued that the financial system was not fair. Schools were financed on local property tax. This system failed those districts with lower incomes. This case made schools rely on state revenues instead of districts. We still go by this today and is a better way for schools to be financed equally state wide. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v Commonwealth
A law that was used to refuse free public education to children who couldn't integrate themselves into classrooms or school environments was removed due to this case. Many intellectually disabled students were denied an education. This case brought benefits to students with disabilities. It really gave a step closer to equal education opportunity for students with disabilities. -
Title IX
Title IX was passed in order to protect people from discrimination because of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in employment and public accommodations. This is important because education is a public federally funded institution. Now it states that based on sex no one can be excluded from any educational program or activity that is receiving Federal funding. It has impacted education on the sports aspect. There shouldn't be discrimination, girls and boys participate equally. -
Lau v. Nichols
This case concerned bilingual education. A Chinese-American student that didn't speak English was denied additional English instruction. This was the case for about 1,000 additional Chinese American students. They were being discriminated due to their origin. Being able to provide non-English speakers with help is our job as teachers to ensure they receive an equal education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Under this act all public schools that receive federal funds are to provide one free meal a day and equal access to education for students with disabilities. That is physical or mental disabilities. This act has impacted education and allowed us to educate all children regardless of their conditions. This act also permits children with disabilities to feel like everyone else and receive the education they need and deserve without any discrimination. -
Plyler v. Doe
In this case a statute that denied educational funds to undocumented immigrant children was removed. A district also wanted to charge a $1,000 tuition fee for these same children. That was also removed with the Plyler v Doe case. This made education more accessible and equal for all students K-12. Discrimination towards these children was completely unfair since they had no control over their illegal statuses.
