From the Past to the Present

Education is Forever
By: Rachael McDermott
 1600s
 1620- Emphasis on basic skills needed to learn religious catechisms and read
prayers.
 I chose this because basic skills on religion are needed while growing up
in life.
 1635- The Boston Latin School was found in this year to provide a pre-college
education for the new country’s future leaders.
 I selected this because everyone deserves a college education, and strive to
their future.
 1636- Latin grammar (college-prep) schools established and, like Harvard and
Yale Colleges, emphasize Latin, Greek, theology, and philosophy for those
preparing to enter law or religion.
 I picked this because without Latin grammar schools, we would not have
lawyers in our lives.
 1642- In the Massachusetts Act of 1642 states, parents could decide whether they
wished their children to be educated at home or at a school.
 I chose this because it children different experiences at home schooling or
public school.
 1642- The Massachusetts General Court passed a law that required each town to
determine whether young people could read and write.
 I selected this because children should not be allowed to go through life
without learning how to read and write.
 1647- Massachusetts Law of 1647 mandates a reading and writing teacher for
towns of 50 or more families; a Latin teacher for towns of 100 or more. Females
taught basics to enable them to carry out religious and family responsibilities.
 I picked this because women know the most about family and religion,
and that is what families need.
 1648- The court revised the 1642 law, reminding town leaders that “the good
education of children is of singular behoof and benefit to any commonwealth” and
that some parents and masters were still “too indulgent and negligent of their
duty”.
 I chose this because we always need to make sure that children are doing
their best, and parents and teachers are on top of their job to teach.
 1690- The New England Primer was printed in this year, and introduced children
to the letters of the alphabet through the use of illustrative woodcuts and rhymed
couplets.
 I selected this because without having this Primer, children would not
know the alphabet in today’s century.
 1700s
 1700- Public schools teach reading, writing, and basic mathematics (counting,
adding, and subtracting) to prepare students for jobs and apprenticeships.
 I chose this because every child needs to be taught how to read and write,
and learning all the math to pursue your dream.
 1704- One of the first schools for African Americans and Native Americans was
started by Elias Neau in New York City.
 I selected this because without starting schools for African Americans and
Native Americans they might not have been able to go to school at all.
 1745- Latin and Greek were the principal studies in these dame schools, though
arithmetic was introduced.
 I picked this because I thought it was interesting that math was overlooked
since it is such a major area of study.
 1749- In Franklin’s Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in
Pennsylvania, written in this year he noted that “the good Education of youth has
been esteemed by wise men in all ages, as the surest foundation of the happiness
both of private families and of commonwealths”.
 I chose this because men of all ages are determined, and have the benefit
to have a good education.
 1751- Benjamin Franklin designed and promoted the Philadelphia Academy, a
private secondary school, which opened in this year. This school replaced the old
Latin grammar school, had a curriculum that was broader and more practical, and
focused on the English language rather than Latin.
 I selected this because it shows that Benjamin Franklin wanted children to
speak English more than Latin.
 1770- One of the best known schools for African Americans was founded in
Philadelphia by Anthony Benezet, who believed that African Americans were
“generously sensible, humane, and sociable, and that their capacity is as good, and
as capable of improvement as that of White people”.
 I picked this because African Americans and White people are always
equal, and it does not matter what school it is.
 1776- The colonies’ break with Europe was most potently demonstrated in the
American Revolution.
 I chose this because this was a major impact due to the colony break up.
 1779- Thomas Jefferson proposed to the Virginia legislature in 1779 his Bill for
the More General Diffusion of Knowledge.
 I selected this because Jefferson wanted the society to remain free, and
have a continuous system of public education.
 1800s
 1821- Troy Seminary founded by educator and poet Emma Willard, became one
of the first women’s college in the country.
 I chose this because without this women’s college, women would not be
able to get a college degree in today’s century.
 1824- Thomas Jefferson found the University of Virginia who devoted the last
years of his life to developing the university, and he lived to the university open
with 40 students in March 1824, one month before his 81st birthday.
 I selected this because if it wasn’t for Jefferson developing the university,
that college would not have been around today.
 1837- Mann accepted the position of Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board
of Education.
 I picked this because Mann was the person who was trying to improve the
quality of schools.
 1839- The first public normal school in the United States opened in Lexington,
Massachusetts, on July 3, 1839.
 I chose this because this was the starting point of all the public schools in
the world.
 1849- Electra Lincoln Walton, an 1843 graduate of the normal school, became
acting head administrator and the first woman to administer a state normal school.
 I selected this because it was important that the first administrator of a
normal school was someone who went to a normal school.
 1860- First English-speaking kindergarten emphasizes growth, activity, play,
songs, and stories.
 I picked this because this is where it all starts with children when they are
young.
 1862- The Morrill Land-Grant Act, sponsored by Congressman Justin S Morrill of
Vermont, provided federal land for states either to sell or rent to raise funds for
the establishment of colleges of agriculture and mechanical arts.
 I chose this because in college you want different varieties, and arts and
agriculture is part of them.
 1874- Free public schooling now includes high schools that place strong emphasis
on vocational education and reading, writing, and mathematics.
 I selected this because every public school no matter what grade should all
be able to read write, and solve mathematic problem.
 1900s
 1913- The NEA appointed the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary
Education to reexamine the secondary curriculum in regard to students’ individual
differences.
 I chose this because no student should go to school is the curriculum is
wrong, and have no mistakes.
 1918- The commission’s report, Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education, was
released in 1918 called for a high school curriculum designed to accommodate
individual differences in scholastic ability.
 I selected this because each student has their own scholastic ability, and
that is what the curriculum is for.
 1924- Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924, confinement on
reservations and decades of forced assimilation had devastated Native American
cultures and provided few successful educational programs.
 I picked this because of the positive changes that occurred in the lives of
Native Americans.
 1931- At the ceremony to present her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, Addams was
described as the “foremost woman of her nation”.
 I chose this because I feel that the Nobel Peace Prize is very important.
 1941- The Lanham Act provided funding for the training of workers in war plants
by U.S. Office of Education personnel, the construction of schools in areas where
military personnel and workers on federal projects resided, and the provision of
child care for the children of working parents.
 I selected this because it is very important to secure the future of training
workers in war plants.
 1989- The Camegie Council on Adolescent Development report, Turning Points,
recommends the creation of learning communities and a core academic program
for middle-level students.
 I picked this because it is important that middle-level students have a
creative learning experience.
 1990- President George H.W. Bush unveils Goals 2000, identifying six
educational goals: readiness for school; high school completion; student
achievement and citizenship; science and mathematics; adult literacy and lifelong
learning; and safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools.
 I chose this because educational goals are always important for the future.
 1999- President Bill Clinton signs into law the Educational Excellence for All
Children Act, reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
 I selected this because the Educational Excellence for All Children Act is
important to improving education for children.
 2000s
 2002- President George H.W. Bush signs into law the No Child Left Behind Act
of 2001.
 I chose this because this was an interesting accomplishment of 2002.
 2007- The National Assessment of Education Progress reading assessment, higher
percentages of Asian/Pacific Islanders and White fourth graders and eighth grades
scored at or above “Proficient” than did American Indian/Alaska Native, Black,
and Hispanic.
 I selected this because I found it interesting to compare ethnic groups with
their reading assessments.
 2008- In spite of the historic nationwide recession that states developed new, cost-
effective ways to promote excellence during the first decade of the new century.
 I picked this because promoting excellence is an important asset to build
moral.
 2008- Approximately 70-75 percent of White students who start high school
graduate in four years, compared to approximately 50 percent of African
American and Latino students.
 I chose this because it is interesting to compare ethnic groups.
 2009- At least 23 states enacted 43 laws during the 2009 legislative sessions to
promote excellence.
 I selected this because this was important to improving the quality of
many states.
 2010- The Obama Administration proposed broad changes to the No Child Left
Behind Act and initiated the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act.
 I picked this because the Obama Administration promoted many unique
changes throughout the term of his presidency.
 2011- Minority-group students are two to four times more likely than others to
drop out of high school.
 I chose this because the dropout rates of high school students have varied
over the years.
 2014- All students will leave high school “college or career ready”.
 I selected this because all students will benefit in the future because of
their high school experience.