-
Compulsory Education Laws
Compulsory Education Laws made it mandatory for all children to attend school. Because of these laws, governments had to build more public schools to accommodate all the students. Schools had to follow a standard curriculum, so every child learned the same basic subjects. More money and resources were put into schools to improve education quality. -
Public Education Movement
In the 19th century, many countries started to create public schools funded by taxes. This movement aimed to provide basic education to all children, not just the wealthy or religious elites. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Homer Plessy, an African American, challenged a Louisiana law that required separate railroad cars for white and black passengers. The Supreme Court decided that segregation was legal as long as facilities were "separate but equal." This ruling reinforced racial segregation and discrimination in schools and other public places. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The case was brought by Oliver Brown on behalf of his daughter, Linda Brown, who was denied entry to a white-only school in Topeka, Kansas. The decision overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson and was pivotal in the desegregation of public schools, though it faced significant resistance in many areas. -
Serrano v. Priest
A group of parents and students in California challenged the state's school funding system, arguing that it was unfair. The issue was that schools in wealthy areas had more money to spend on education than schools in poorer areas. The court decided that this funding system was unconstitutional because it violated the principle of equal protection under the law. This decision impacted students in poorer districts by requiring changes to ensure more equitable funding for all schools. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments
Bans sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs and activities. It protects students and staff from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, as well as transgender students and anyone who do not fit gender preconceptions. -
Keyes v. School District No. 1
A case was brought against the Denver, Colorado, school district due to racial segregation in schools. The issue was that despite some efforts to integrate schools, there were still patterns of racial segregation. The court found that the school district had engaged in practices leading to segregation, which violated students' rights. This ruling led to increased efforts to ensure schools were integrated and provided equal educational opportunities for all students. -
Lau v. Nichols
Chinese-American students in San Francisco sued the school district because they weren't receiving enough help to overcome language barriers. The issue was the school wasn't providing exceptional support for students who didn't speak English well, affecting their learning ability. The court ruled that this lack of support was discriminatory and violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a result, schools had to provide additional services and support for students with limited English proficiency. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Also known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA provides that all American children, regardless of handicap, are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. -
Plyler v. Doe
States could not deny undocumented immigrant children access to public education. Undocumented children and their families launched the case to challenge Texas' attempt to exclude them from public schools. The judgment ensured these children's educational access, which impacted their capacity to integrate and grow in American culture.