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Plessy V. Ferguson
This was important for public schools because public officials extended the "separate but equal" law to cover other areas in community life, like public schools, restrooms, etc (p.150-51). This gave African American children an opportunity to attend a school for education. However, it was not equal and it would lead the way to more court cases that would eventually lead to equality for African Americans in schools and being able to eventually attend schools with white children. A stepping stone! -
Brown V. Board of Education
This event shaped public education because it ended segregation on the grounds of race. White and African American children would start attending the same schools according to the court ruling. This event made classrooms a lot more diverse and taught students to be more open minded about those that are different from themselves. It also provided every child with the same education (or it was supposed to). This was a step in the right direction in providing fair education for every child. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (pu
This event is important to public education because again it gave children of all types an education. It gave way to a more diverse student body. It also allowed other students to learn to be more accepting of those that are different than them. It teaches children that everyone no matter what deserves to learn and be treated equally. It also provided an education to those with disabilities that would never have had a proper and formal education before. Everyone deserves an education! -
"A Nation at Risk" Report
This event is important to our modern public education today because it started the idea of teacher accountability. Teachers started paying more attention to the students scoring low on tests because the a passing score on standardized tests was a requirement to high school graduation. This report also put education out in the open and "on stage" for everyone to see and talk about; which really required the schools to make changes no matter what. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
I believe this act has had a huge impact on K-12 today. First of all, it requires school districts & schools to have "highly qualified" teachers that have proper documentation in subject matters they are teaching. It holds schools, districts and teachers accountable for fixing the unequal achievement among students that are "low-income, minority, English learners and students with disabilities" (p. 164). This act is, in a way, making sure teachers are paying attention to those less fortunate.
