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First bilingual/bicultural public school
After the Cuban Revolution, Coral Way Elementary School starts the first bilingual and bicultural public school in the United States. -
The Civil Rights Act
It becomes law. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin. -
Immigration Act of 1965
It abolishes the National Origins Formula and results in numbers of Asians and Latin Americans immigrating to the United States, making America's classrooms much more diverse. -
Case of Lau v. Nichols
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the failure of the San Francisco School District to provide English language instruction to Chinese-American students with limited English proficiency (LEP) is a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case does require school districts to provide equal opportunities for all students, including those who do not speak English. -
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act
It prohibits discrimination and requires schools to take action to overcome barriers which prevent equal protection. The legislation has been particularly important in protecting the rights of students with limited English proficiency.. -
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act
The act becomes federal law. It requires that a free, appropriate public education, suited to the student's individual needs, and offered in the least restrictive setting be provided for all "handicapped" children. States are given until 1978 (later extended to 1981) to fully implement the law. -
Refugee Education Assistance Act
President Jimmy Carter signs the Refugee Education Assistance Act into law as the "Mariel Boatlift" brings thousands of Cuban and a small number of Haitian refugees to Florida. -
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990
Increases annual immigration to 700,000 adding to the diversity of our nation and its schools. Specific aspects of the law provide for family-sponsored visas; employment-based visas for priority workers, skilled workers, and "advanced professionals"; and 55,000 diversity visas "allocated to natives of a country that has sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the previous five years. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The controversial No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is approved by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush. The law mandates high-stakes student testing, holds schools accountable for student achievement levels, and provides penalties for schools that do not make adequate yearly progress toward meeting the goals of NCLB. -
Gender Neutral Restrooms
The federal government tells school districts "to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity." Though the directive is not a law, districts that do not comply could face lawsuits or lose federal aid.
