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Robert v.s the City of Boston
In the case Robert vs. the City of Boston. This case actually was lost with the City of Boston, but reopened with the Commonweath of Massachusetts in 1855.
It shaped public education by being the first landmark case to prohibit segregation in public schools in the United States. Many cases after this one referenced it in their arguments. -
Plessy vs. Fergusion
In the court case Plessy v.s Ferguson the court ruled that "separate but Equal" was legal according to the 14th amendment. Thus schools would be able to remain segregated assuming that they both delivered the same quality of education. -
Brown vs. The Board of Education
With Brown vs. The Board of Education overturned the decision of Plessy vs Ferguson by stating that separate was not equal. This meant that public schools would now be open to all races equally. Thus educating all students in the same building. -
American Disabilites Act
The American Disabilities Act made it possible for students with disabilities to be educated in the public school system right along with their non-disabled peers. In the past many of these students were either not allowed in the schools or educated in isolated classrooms. -
No Child Behind Act
The No Child Left behind Act ruled that public schools should evaluate student achievement through rigid assessment.
This caused public education to shift it's emphasis to test driven instruction. Schools now use a plethora of evaluative and individual support programs to meet test requirements.
