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

There are many principles and historical influences that affect the schools that are created. I don’t feel we have really covered anything of great significance on this topic. However when presenting on the principles for applying information we touched on some of the ideas that influence the way schools approach teaching today, and the reading talked about the history of negative treatment to various diverse students which has led to reform. I would like to learn more about the theories the impact the kind of schools that I want to teach in and how to recognize them.