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The Boston Latin School was the first ever educational facility that opened in North America. It was a boys' school and the curriculum focused on Latin, Greek and the Humanities. Lessons were taught by a puritan settler and they were supposed to prepare students for higher studies
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/first-public-school-america/ -
The legislature of Massachusetts passed a law stating that communities with more than 50 households or more must hire a schoolmaster paid by the families. As the population in the state was increasing, the goal was to teach children religious values and spread the bible's teachings.
https://massteacher.org/about-the-mta/our-history/founding-of-the-mta -
Massachussets legislator Horace Mann suggested the introduction of "common schools", educational institutions that would be free of charge and compulsory for all children. He was inspired by the Prussian model of Education, which was adopted in what is now the state of Germany. Mann stressed the responsibility of a state to provide education to its citizens. Here is a video concerning the creation of public education in the US: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZp7eVJNJuw
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The first board of Education was created under the supervision of Horace Mann in Massachussets. Its role was to make sure that common schools were running efficently and collect tax returns from these institutions. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/archives/collections/FA_ED.pdf -
This act allowed states to establish federally funded colleges and higher education institutions. The most popular subjects were agriculture and the mechanic arts. Although this act opened doors to many new opportunities, millions of acres of land were expropriated from Native people.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/morrill-act -
Founded in Carlisle, PA this insitution was the first boarding school for Native Americans, and its primary mission was to "Kill the Indian and save the man". The founding of this institution was one of the first steps in the Indian assimilation policy. Native children were taken away from their families. Rules in boarding schools were strict, as pupils had to communicate in English and give up their culture and customs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfOKRglt8e8 -
Legal case in the US supreme court that introduced the controversial concept of "separate but equal". This case established legal segregation of facilities, including schools and educational institutions. The consequences of this act were unprecedented. Although minorities in America are no longer segregated by law, they still experience de facto segregation (ex: discriminatory housing practices, separate school districts...)
https://www.britannica.com/event/Plessy-v-Ferguson-1896 -
This organization later became the well-known "Parent-Teacher Association" (PTA)
https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/Mission-Values/National-PTA-History -
Supreme court case that forbid the Lemon Grove School district to place Mexican-American student in a separate, segregated school. First case of successful desegregation
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Supreme court case that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. It states that public schools shall not prevent students from minority groups to attend predominantly white schools. "Separate but equals" becomes unconstitutional.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1siiQelPHbQ -
Supreme court case ruling that prayer in schools is unconstitutional and violates the free religion clause.
https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/educational-activities/first-amendment-activities/engel-v-vitale/facts-and-case-summary-engel-v-vitale -
Increases and incentivates students to pursue higher education through grants, loans and work-study programs.
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy -
Prohibits discrimination based on gender in educational instutions and federally funded programs. Led an increased participation of women in sports and extracurricular activities.
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination -
Prohibits discrimination based on various disabilities for public services and activities, including public schools
https://www.ada.gov -
One of the most important acts that changed education in the 21st century. Included increased federal regulations for public schools and required states to establish some specific standards to improve "failing" schools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0--2nhsDorg -
The rapid spread of the pandemic led institutions to shut down both globally and nationally, sparking a debate on how to provide education safely -
The use of AI in education is still an ongoing debate. Many argue that AI makes students more successful and effective, while others believe that it limits critical thinking abilities and other soft skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogcSQ-cFRVM