Essay On The History Of American Education

In 1785 the Land Ordinance of 1785 was passed stating that each western territory had to have sections set aside “for the maintenance of public schools.” Also, in 1827, Massachusetts passed a law that required towns with more than 500 families to have a free public high school for all students. Both of these laws go together because it is making a provision for education in America. Schools today are influential in the lives of virtually every child in America. This happened when schools started to be required in territories and towns in the beginning of America. I believe that these two laws are important in the history of American Education because it provided all students with the opportunity for free education. In 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female to graduate from medical college, and she graduated from Geneva Medical College. During her childhood her father and mother encouraged equality between her brothers and sisters so she got an education equal to that of a young boys when she was a girl. Also during her childhood many of her siblings and cousins died. This is why Elizabeth committed her life to being a doctor for babies and their mothers. She then paved the way for women to have equal opportunity for education. Although I am not studying to be in the medical field, it is because of her …show more content…
The SAT was based off of the Army Alpha test which tested general intelligence of the people who took it. The ACT was launched by E. F. Lindquist to test if a student is ready for college. This move towards testing nationwide with the same material for each student is what college entrance is based on today. And in high school taking the SAT or ACT is a big part of completing the things necessary for success. This is important in the history of American Education because these people and organizations started what has formed educational standards of