2. 1647
• The General Court of the Massachusetts
Bay Colony decrees that every town of
fifty families should have an elementary
school and that every town of 100
families should have a Latin school. The
goal is to ensure that Puritan children
learn to read the Bible and receive basic
information about their Calvinist
religion.
The Applied Research Center (2008).
This is the start of public education.
3. 1805
• New York Public School Society
formed by wealthy businessmen to
provide education for poor
children.
The Applied Research Center (2008).
Business owners see the long term benefits
in the workplace for providing education to children.
4. 1820
• First public high school in the U.S.,
Boston English, opens.
The Applied Research Center (2008).
173 after the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay
Colony degree that every town over 50 people have a
Elementary school , the public high school is born.
5. 1827
• Massachusetts passes a law
making all grades of public school
open to all pupils free of charge.
The Applied Research Center (2008).
This is very important because it is the start of the
Movement for free public education to all.
6. 1851
• State of Massachusetts passes first
its compulsory education law. The
Applied Research Center (2008).
Government recognizes that without public education
Society will become uncontrollable.
7. 1954
• Brown v. Board of Education
The Applied Research Center (2008).
The supreme court realizes that segregation is
“inherently unequal” and that it must be
Abolished.
8. 1994
• Proposition 187 passes in
California, making it illegal for
children of undocumented
immigrants to attend public school.
The Applied Research Center (2008).
The controversial law was later overturned by the
state Supreme Court.
9. 2001
• No Child Left Behind Act
The Applied Research Center (2008).
The Federal Government asserts its position as
A major influence in financing and controlling
Educational decisions that were previously
Made by the states.
10. Works Cited
The Applied Research Center (2008).
Historical Timelines in Public Education,
R
Retrieved August 17, 2008, from
http://www.arc.org/content/view/100/48/
