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Plessy v. Ferguson
In Plessy v. Ferguson, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld "separate but equal." This was a landmark case as it legalized racial segregation in public facilities. The Supreme Court declared that the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause was not violated, as it did not require social or political equality. The court claimed that the Fourteenth Amendment only guarantees equal protection under the law.
This is important, as it legalized segregation and allowed inequalities in education. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In this pivotal case, the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This was a landmark case as it marked the beginning of the end of legalized segregation in U.S. schools. The Supreme Court's ruling directly overturned the "separate but equal" principle that was established in the Plessy v. Ferguson case. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark legislation, prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, or religion, and puts an end to segregation in public areas. It also establishes a foundation for desegregation of public schools and guarantees equal access to education for all students. The Civic Rights Act of 1964 set a precedent for further civil rights advancements. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) works to reduce achievement disparities by allocating federal funds to schools that serve low-income students and supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing educational fairness. ESEA was later revised to the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
In the case of Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children with disabilities cannot be denied access to public education. This was a landmark case as the Supreme Court declared that the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause was violated and mandated public schools to offer educational services to children with disabilities and ensure they were not excluded due to their disabilities. -
Lau v. Nichols
In the case of Lau v. Nichols, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed language discrimination in public education. This was a landmark case as it ruled that denying non-English speaking students' meaningful access to public education was discriminatory. Although the school district argued that they were providing equal treatment to the Chinese American students, the Court declared that the students were not receiving a meaningful education as they did not understand English. -
Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA) of 1974 is designed to guarantee that every student, regardless of their background, has access to equal educational opportunities. EEOA prohibits discrimination in public schools based on race, color, sex, or national origin. Additionally, it requires schools to offer programs that address the needs of students who are not proficient in English, and take proactive measures to overcome language barriers. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was a landmark law that aimed to provide children with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate education (FAPE). It required public schools to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities, ensuring that support was specifically designed to address their distinct needs. It was later renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a landmark law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all aspects of public life. It guarantees people with disabilities to have equal opportunities to participate in society, requiring businesses and government agencies to offer reasonable accommodations when needed. ADA has been instrumental for millions of Americans with disabilities by fostering accessibility and inclusion. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act aimed to improve student performance and reduce achievement gaps by increasing school accountability. It required states to administer standardized tests in reading and math to assess student progress. NCLB focused on ensuring equal opportunities for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.