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Plessy v. Ferguson
This case upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine "separate but equal." Plessy who was seven-eighths white, was arrested for sitting in a whites only train and was arrested for refusing to move coaches. He argued he deserved to sit in the whites only. Under an 1890 state law, railways in Louisiana are required to have "equal but separate" coaches for white and black passengers. The United Sates Supreme Court declared it constitutional for races to be kept separate. -
G.I Bill of Rights
In 1944 at the end of WW2, the U.S. makes a significant investment towards education. The G.I bill provides returning soldiers and veterans benefits such as loans and aid to go to school. It put education within reach for soldiers returning to their life. However, this bill excluded African Americans. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed this bill into law. -
Brown v. the Board of Education
The Supreme Court denied the case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. Now about 60 years later, Thurgood Marshall argued that segregation of schools violated the 14th Amendment. 5 different cases in the U.S. were taken upon court. The Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to separate children in schools. Brown v. Board of Education was a major victory however, it took several years to fully enforce desegregation. -
Cooper v. Aaron
The Supreme Court won a major battle in the south after Arkansas governor tried to challenge the courts authority over the state. After the Brown v. Board of Education case, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered desegregation. Arkansas desegregation plan faced open resistance from Arkansas legislation and governor. The governor sent out soldiers to block out African American students from entering a segregated school. The school board sued the governor, eventually the students were permitted to enter. -
Engel v. Vitale
Engel v. Vitale is a landmark freedom of religion case. This case involves the state of New York, which passed a law that encouraged students to start their day by saying a prayer and the pledge of allegiance. The state argued the prayer was voluntarily and didn't incorporate any certain religions. The Supreme Court struck down this policy because it violates the establishment of the 1st Amendment Establishing Clause. The praying in New York promoted religion which also is a violation. -
Title IX
In 1972, Congress passed a law called Title IX. This law protected women from discrimination. The first chapter is associated with access to sports for women. The government developed rules to measure equality between girls and boys in sports. The three tests are proportionality, tests, and interest. Schools can choose between these tests. Title IX is a law made to prevent gender and sex discrimination, but there is resistance because of this law like sexual harassment. -
Education of all the Handicapped Children Act
EHA was passed in 1974 by President Gerald Ford. This law was eventually reauthorized and modernized. The federal law grants free public education to all students regardless of any disabilities or special need. All students with disabilities should be placed in an LRE. Students can receive an IEP to help with the students learning. -
Pyler v. Doe
In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court established a decision in a case called Pyler v. Doe. This landmark case which establishes that undocumented children have a right to attend free public school where they reside. In 1975, the Texas legislature, inactive laws granted local schools district the authority to deny enrollment to undocumented non0citizen students. There was 4 cases that were brought upon the Texas school district. The state law violates the Equal Protection Clause.