Which theories and historical influences should most impact the schools we'd like to have?

Historical influences that should impact education the most would be free, equal and good pubic schooling for everyone. No boys only or whites only. No forced religion in school. No banning books because they have a couple of vulgar words. It is highly important that equal remains equal or gets better. The most important thing is that everyone is able to get the same education as everyone else. Teachers should teach how their students learn, let the students needs run the class, not the teachers wishes for what they want to teach. Teach what students need to know and teach it how they learn it best! The Wiki-Page project really helped me understand things like book banning and creationism v. evolution and the impacts on schools. I'd like to be introduced more in detail to specific teaching methods!