Henry Barnard was a 19th-century American educator and school administrator who is considered the father of modern school administration.

English High School in Boston, Massachusetts, was the first public high school in the United States, founded in 1821.

Massachusetts was the first state to require compulsory school attendance, in 1852.

The National Education Association (NEA) was founded in 1857 and is the largest professional organization of educators in the United States.

The Office of Education was established in 1867 and was the first federal department of education in the United States.

Shirley Hufstedler was the first U.S. Secretary of Education, serving from 1979 to 1981.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 was the first major piece of federal legislation to provide funding for public education.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of school desegregation.

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was the first major piece of federal legislation to provide funding for special education.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of school choice.

The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of school safety.

The Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants Program of 1998 was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of teacher quality.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of school accountability.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of school funding.

The Safe Schools Act of 1994 was the first major piece of federal legislation to address the issue of school discipline.