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Engel v. Vitale
The court ruling of Engel v. Vitale decided that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act becomes law. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin, which in turn outlawed racial segregation in schools. -
The Bilingual Education Act
The Bilingual Education Act was the first piece of United States federal legislation that recognized the needs of children with limited English speaking ability. It reflected a change in perspective towards diversity, immigration, and education. -
First African American Woman in Congress
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, an educator, author, and politician, becomes the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. -
Indian Education Act
The Indian Education Act established a new approach to meeting the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 becomes law, prohibiting discrimination based on sex in all aspects of education. -
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act is passed, prohibiting discrimination and requiring schools to take action to overcome barriers which prevent equal protection, therefore protecting the rights of students with limited English proficiency. -
The Refugee Act of 1980
The Refugee Act of 1980 is signed into law, reforming immigration law to admit refugees for humanitarian reasons and results in the resettlement of more than three-million refugees in the United States, including many children who bring special needs and issues to their classrooms. -
Proposition 187
Years of legal and political debate over Proposition 187 come to an end. Proposition 187 was a controversial ballot measure that sought to make illegal immigrants ineligible for public benefits and services. -
Evolving Demographics
For the first time, the overall number of Latino, African-American, and Asian students in public K-12 classrooms surpassed the number of non-Hispanic whites, at 50.3%.
