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School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania v. Schempp
In the Supreme Court Case that reaffirmed Engel v. Vitale, the court ruled that passages from the Bible and Lord's prayer couldn't be required by state law or school board. Because many times cultural and religion intertwine, this ruling was significant in ensuring that large demographics of children would not have to cater to strictly christian values. This provides a more inclusive and open environment in schools. -
First Bilingual and Bicultural Public School in the U.S.
Coral Way Elementary School started the first bilingual and bicultural public school in the United States in response to a large number of Cuban immigrant children arriving in Miami. This is a significant event because it sets precedent and paves the way for other schools to consider doing the same. It also helped immigrant children, who already must feel a cultural barrier, feel like they belong and help further their education by not isolating them. -
Project Head Start
This was a preschool education program for children who came from low income families. It started as an 8 week summer program, and eventually became the longest running anti-poverty program that still exists in the country. As we know, our schools are filled with students from diverse backgrounds, but this is not solely due to their ethnicities or cultures. Being from a lower income family, or even a higher income family, requires visibility and understanding that all children deserve education. -
Improving America's Schools Act
This Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994. It included reforms for the Title 1, which increased funding for both bilingual and immigrant education. This helps students from multiple backgrounds feel more included and respected in this country while their peers mostly look of one demographic. It also served to educate teachers on the students they teach and how to best cater to their individual needs. -
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chrisholm
In 1968, Shirley Anita Hill, an educator, became the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. Once we see more diverse people from different backgrounds in places of power like holding seats in Congress, it gives more populations in America a voice and familiarity. This was a huge step not only for women, but specifically the African American community in the country. Seeing one of their own people holding a place in higher power must have been both uplifting and inspiring. -
Indian Education Act
The Indian Education Act became a law that established "a comprehensive approach to meeting the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students". Needless to say, the American Indian population has suffered an incredible amount to their cultural preservation by colonizers. While this Act was passed far too late in our history, it finally ensures that these minority group of students are put under more care and having their unique needs met. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX helped to prohibit discrimination based on sex in al aspects of education. While in most cases this seemed to help only with girl's and women's participation in sports, it helped a large number of groups. This created a more inclusive environment in schools allowing for marginalized students to have their talents and voices heard. It helped education because a fairer playground for students to practice the sports they chose to play, regardless of their sex or background. -
Case of Lau v. Nichols
In this unique Supreme Court case, it was ruled that the failure of San Francisco School District to provide English instruction to Chinese-American students with limited English skills was a direct violation of the Civil Rights Act. Unlike today, it was not common to have peers who were bilingual, or did not learn english as their first language. This ruling broke the barrier for non-english proficient speakers to have the right to learn english freely in addition to enhancing other skills. -
Racial Integration of Predominantly While Schools
In 1974, federal judge Arthur Garrity ordered the busing of African American students into schools that were mostly populated by white students. Despite the protests from white parents, this ruling started the movement towards achieving racial integration of public schools in Boston. Whether or not the white students responded well to this change, it was important to show them at a young age that all students are equal regardless of background and deserve to learn in the same environment. -
Refugee Act of 1980
This Act was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in March. It admitted refugees into the Immigration Act for humanitarian reasons and resulted in the resettlement of millions of refugees. Many of these refugees were children who were in classrooms, but brought many special needs and issues as well. This act was crucial in humanizing refugee stories and helping their children adapt to the environments they were being put into without a choice.
