EBSCO Research Starters® • Copyright © 2014 EBSCO Information Services, Inc. • All Rights Reserved RESEARCH STARTERS ACADEMIC TOPIC OVERVIEWS History of Public Education in the U.S. History of Education > History of Public Education in the U.S. Abstract Public education in America in large part was the product of historical movements that swept the nation, including national incorporation, widespread urbanization, and modern industrial- ization. Public education began during the 17th century when the Massachusetts Bay Colony instituted compulsory education laws. The 19th century saw the establishment of specialized schools for the mentally and physically handicapped, the expan- sion of compulsory education laws, and the establishment of freemen's schools. As the country became increasingly industri- alized, child labor laws were coupled with further compulsory education laws, and new educational theories were developed. During the 20th century, a number of court cases and legisla- tive initiatives brought about the end of segregation, prohibited prayer in public schools, and improved educational opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged students. Overview Public education in America has a history dating back nearly to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Although the first public school appeared well before both the Constitu- tion and the Declaration of Independence, the small, independent public schools of centuries past bear little if any resemblance to the system of universal public education now in place in the United States. The factors which led to the inception, growth, and development of public education in America are numerous, and they include not only the pursuit of learning, but also, perhaps more importantly, the development of the nation's philosophy of who should teach and who should be taught. Public education in America in large part was the product of historical movements that swept the nation, including national incorporation, widespread urbanization, and modern industrial- ization. In order to glean an accurate understanding of the history of America's educational system, each of these eras in our coun- try's history must be studied in turn. While these factors constitute a timeline in American educational history, they cannot be fully understood apart from a concurrent examination of the development of educational philosophy, the changing understanding of the purpose and aim of public educa- Abstract Overview Further Insights Colonial Era Education in Puritan New England Education in the Middle & Southern Colonies Early National Legislation Education in the New Nation Specialized Schools Compulsory Education Legislation & the National Teacher Association Segregation Industrialization & Integration Extended Compulsory Education Laws Changing Educational Theories Modern Legislation The National Defense Education Act & the Elementary & Secondary Educatio ...