History of Education by Lauren Bormolini

1900 - Women in Education

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 21:00:24 UTC

With the start of Normal Schools focusing on teacher education, over 70% of teachers in rural areas are women.

1917 - Smith-Hughes Act

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Federal funding is provided for vocational education, increasing skill training for trades.

1925 - Butler Act & Scopes Trial

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 21:17:50 UTC

Tennessee teacher John Scopes is arrested and found guilty after violating The Butler Act, a law requiring schools to only teach the biblical origins of creation. Scopes, a high school biology teacher, had to face a public trial and pay a $100 fine for teaching the theory of evolution.

1931 - Margold Report

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 21:31:49 UTC

A report commissioned by the NAACP and published by attorney Nathan Margold outlines inequalities in education for black and white school/students. This report begins the fight against "separate but equal", laying the framework for desegregation in education.

1944 - GI Bill

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Following WWII, Truman signs the GI Bill providing federally funded access to higher education for veterans.

1954 - Brown v. Board

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Brown v. Board of Education declares racial segregation in schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

1957 - Sputnik & National Defense Education Act (NDEA)

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Soviet Union's success of the Sputnik satellite creates a new US interest in STEM, resulting in federal funding for science, mathematics, and defense in response to the cold war.

1965 - Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

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Federal aid bill creating funding for low-income schools and students (Title 1). A part of the "War on Poverty".

1968 - Bilingual Education Act

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Federal recognition and funding of students in need of English language learning and development.

1972 - Title IX

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Prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal funding and assistance.

1983 - Nation At Risk

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A report published to highlight issues and decline of US education. Resulted in higher standards for graduation, increased teacher training, and emphasis on core subject advancement.

1994 - California's Proposition 187

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 22:19:22 UTC

A California ballot initiative to prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing public education, as well as additional services such as non-emergency healthcare. It was passed and later ruled unconstitutional. This proposition later sparked more pro-immigration movements and resources in response.

2002 - No Child Left Behind

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 22:19:35 UTC

Federal law mandating standards focused on education reform to close achievement gap. Required annual standardized testing tracking student performance, with penalties for schools that did not improve. Impacted school access to federal funding based on academic merit. Replaced in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (EESA).

2018 - Red for Ed (Arizona)

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 22:19:48 UTC

Red for Ed movement was widespread striking and walkouts led by teachers in demand of higher salaries and improved funding. In Arizona, these actions led to a 20% pay increase as well as public awareness about issues in education.

2020 - Covid-19 Pandemic

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 22:20:07 UTC

The COVID-19 Pandemic caused mass shutdowns in education with students and educators being forced into online learning environments. This resulted in multiple government acts including funding related to emergency relief.

The pandemic also unearthed additional weaknesses or areas lacking support in education, while introducing a new decline in achievement.

2025 - Religion Returning to Education

lau2236250 — 2025-09-23 22:21:16 UTC

In the last year there has been an increase in states reinforcing religious beliefs and practices in public school environments. This has caused much debate and resulted in the Supreme Court intervening more than once. Louisiana was one state that attempted requiring display of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms, but it was stopped by the US appeals court.

These events are something to watch, as they have the potential to greatly impact education as we know it today.