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Plessy v.Ferguson May 18, 1896
In 1986 Louisianna passed the Separate Car Act, forcing people of color to be segregated on trains. Homer Plessy challenged this by sitting in a train car meant for whites and was arrested. The case was taken up to the federal courts where it was decided, by Judge John Howard Ferguson, that Louisiana had every right to regulate and segregate anything as they pleased. "Separate but Equal" facilities were provided for people of color and white people. This directly affected people of color. -
G.I Bill Jun, 1944
The G.I. Bill, also known "The Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944," provided rewards for all World War 2 veterans. This bill that was signed into effect by President F.D.R. gave one reward, which was free schooling to all veterans. This was revolutionary at the time because of the postponing of veteran life insurance payout during World War 1. In the end, this bill was a success creating more jobs and a booming economy. -
Brown v. Board of Education May, 1954
In 1954, the Brown decision ruled that segregation within public schools was illegal, thereby ending as a matter of law segregation based on race. The Brown case determined that the “separate but equal” doctrine established by the Court in Plessy v. Ferguson, in providing “separate education facilities” based race was, in fact, inherently unequal and violated the equal opportunity and due process clause of the 14th Amendment. -
Cooper VS. Aaron Sep 12,1958
After Brown V. Board of Education, many school boards began to adopt plans for desegregation. With anti-desegregation sentiment running rampant, some boards opted against desegregation. A famous case involved nine African American students attempting to attend a white school, but being stopped by National Guard from entering. The students were then permitted by federal troops ordered by the president. -
Title IX Jun 23, 1972
This federal law was passed as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act meant to end discrimination based on race. It failed to address discrimination based on sex. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in any federally funded education program or activity. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act Nov 30, 1975
This act required public schools accepting to provide equal access to education and free meals for children with disabilities. Public schools were required to create a curriculum that would resemble the education of non-disabled students. The act also required that school districts provide administrative procedures so that parents of disabled children could question decisions made about their children’s education -
Pyler v. Doe Jun 15, 1982
In 1975, Texas Legislature let school districts deny enrollment in public schools to immigrant children who were illegal aliens. Two years later, the Tyler Independent School District made a policy requiring illegal alien students to pay tuition if they were not in the country legally. A group of Mexican students than filed a lawsuit against the policy. The court decided that the denial of public education was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. -
California Proposition 187 Nov 8,1994
Proposition 187 passes in California, making it illegal for children of undocumented immigrants to attend public school. Federal courts hold Proposition 187 unconstitutional, but anti-immigrant feeling spreads across the country. -
No Child Left Behind Act Jan,1 2001
Replaced all previous legislation in elementary and secondary education. This legislation was designed to close the skills gap between minority and disadvantaged students and their peers, as well as, address accountability,flexibility, quality and safety. -
Zelma v. Simmons-Harris (2002)
The Ohio Pilot Scholarship Program allowed certain Ohio families to receive tuition aid from the state. This would help offset the cost of tuition at private, including parochial (religiously affiliated), schools. The Supreme Court rejected First Amendment challenges to the program and stated that such aid does not violate the Establishment Clause. -
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009
From http://www.eds-resources.com
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 provides more than 90-billion dollars for education, nearly half of which goes to local school districts to prevent layoffs and for school modernization and repair. It includes the Race to the Top initiative, a 4.35-billion-dollar program designed to induce reform in K-12 education. -
Every Student Succeeds Act Dec 10, 2015
From https://www.ed.gov/esea
Put into place by President Obama. Advances equity, requires that all students be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers, ensures that vital information is provided to educators, families, students, and communities , helps to support and grow local innovations, maintains an expectation that there will be accountability and action to effect positive change in our lowest-performing schools.
